CANBERRA, Aug. 13 (silubaba) -- Australia has rallied behind the national women's football team, the Matildas, after reaching the FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals.
The Matildas on Saturday night outlasted France in the longest penalty shootout in World Cup history in Brisbane to reach the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time.
Cortnee Vine's winning spot kick - the 20th in the shootout - sparked scenes of jubilation across Australia.
Host broadcaster the Seven network on Sunday revealed more than four million Australians watched the match, making it the most-watched Australian television broadcast of the last decade.
Speaking on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed concerns from employers over his promise for a public holiday on August 21 if the Matildas lift the World Cup the previous night.
"The Matildas are inspiring an entire nation," he said before attending the quarterfinal.
"The whole of Australia will be watching the Matildas and cheering them on. And what we are seeing here is something that isn't just good for the health of young Australians to encourage them to play in a physical sense, which, of course, it is. The inspiration that the Matildas are providing, particularly to young girls, but also to young boys, will encourage them to play team sport."
The Matildas' historic World Cup run has become the biggest news story in Australia, dominating the front pages of newspapers.
Live sites across Australia were at capacity on Saturday night and more are expected to be opened up for the semifinal clash with European champions England on Wednesday.
The Matildas would leave Brisbane, where they have been based for the tournament, for Sydney where they will play the semifinal and final if victorious.
The 2023 World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, runs from July 20 to August 20. Notably, only the top two teams from the eight groups advanced to the round of 16, making it the first Women's World Cup to feature 32 teams. ■
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