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The co-hosts of the 2023 Women’s World Cup Australia suffered a major heartbreak in their first-ever semifinal appearance when losing 1-3 vs England. The Matildas fought back to 1-1 and just as they started to look the likelier team to get to the big final disaster struck. It was a pretty similar story for the world’s number 3 ranked team Sweden. They lost 1-2 vs Spain in their semifinal with the decisive goal conceded in stoppage time. Now the two hurt nations will face each other for one final battle that will decide the destination of the bronze medals. Below we give you our Australia women vs Sweden predicted lineups and all the latest team news.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, August 19th and will be played in Brisbane, Australia at the Brisbane Stadium. The kick-off time is 09:00 am GMT.
Australia women predicted lineup: Can the Matildas win their first World Cup medals?
The Matildas have done their entire nation proud despite the painful semifinal defeat. Australia’s clash vs England was watched by 11.5 million Aussies on TV, which makes it the most viewed TV show of any kind in Australian history. Oh, and they broke the record for the largest audience to attend a football match in the country too.
HISTORY. #FIFAWWC #Matildas pic.twitter.com/gu3AjgBSFH
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 20, 2023
The main reason why Australia missed out on the final was their inability to score goals when it mattered most. With only 1 goal scored from open play in their last 230 minutes of knockout football, the Matildas simply didn’t stand a chance. Still, this has been the furthest ever Australia have been at a World Cup and they will still be supported passionately as they try to earn the bronze medals.
Team news
The influential Chelsea striker Sam Kerr made her first start of the tournament only in the semifinal. Kerr was injured for most of the tournament. She immediately scored her first goal too. Kerr should start again and she will be hungry for more goals.
In fact, despite the disappointing result vs England the Swedish head coach Peter Gerhardsson might be tempted to keep his starting lineup unchanged. Kennedy started the first 5 games of the competition in defence but she missed the England game due to illness. Not certain if she will be feeling better now so veteran Polkinghorne could cover again.
Australia Predicted Lineups (4-4-2):
Arnold – Carpenter, Hunt, Polkinghorne, Catley – Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross Foord – Kerr, Fowler
Sweden predicted lineup: Will the Swedish ladies do it again?
Sweden looked like a team on a mission up until their semifinal duel vs Spain. The Swedes easily won their group and then knocked out the seemingly invincible USWNT team in the round of 16 only to follow that with a quarterfinal triumph against another former World Cup champion Japan.
Full of confidence Sweden underestimated Spain in the semifinal and paid the ultimate price for that. Despite fighting back from behind the Swedes conceded in stoppage time and lost 1-2.
Now they will gear up for their second in a row and third overall bronze medal match. Interestingly Sweden have won all of their previous 3 bronze-medal matches.
Team news
Despite the defeat in the semis the manager is expected to select the same lineup.
Sweden’s centre-back Amanda Ilestedt chases an unlikely trophy in this game. Ilestedt is second behind the Japanese Miyazawa in the top goalscorers list with her 4 goals. A goal will level her with Miyazawa and for the first time in history give the Golden Boot to a defender. So, we expect Ilestedt to be utilised as a striker at some stage of this match.
Sweden Predicted Lineups (4-2-3-1):
Musovic – Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson – Angeldal, Rubensson – Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo – Blackstenius
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