English tabloid ignores facts to make underdog claim
London: Having spent their summer believing they were the far better team in an Ashes series that they failed to win, the English appear to be at it again – or at least one of their more notorious mastheads.
The Sun claims England is the underdog against the Matildas in the Women’s World Cup semi-final in Sydney on Wednesday. That is despite England being the current European champions and with a current ranking of fourth in the world, compared to Australia’s 10th.
England fans react as they watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final match between England and Colombia at Boxpark Croydon, UK.Credit: Getty
“England may go into the game as underdogs … they will not be overawed despite the hostile reception awaiting them in Sydney,” the tabloid wrote.
“There will be another 26 million across the country baying for the Lionesses’ blood, with an electric atmosphere in Sydney in the raucous build-up to the biggest football match in the country’s history.”
In claiming that European title last year, the Lionesses put women’s football firmly on the map in England and reminded the country’s long-suffering football fans what winning a tournament feels like.
“Golden Girls!” “Roaring into the Semis” “Heart of a lioness”. “Now Bring on the Aussies” “Goal Power: Lionesses in semi-final” “How the Lionesses can waltz past the Matildas”, blared Sunday’s front pages following England’s win over Colombia.
England’s Lauren Hemp scores in front of a hostile Colombian-heavy crowd during Saturday night’s quarter-final win.Credit: Getty
The Mail on Sunday’s long-time football writer and columnist, Ian Herbert, warned readers that England would now need to stare down “the collective will of the Australian nation” and use “collectivism and spirit to prevail”.
“Australia has retained the Ashes and beaten England in netball’s World Cup final, but a win for those in yellow and green three days from now would surpass all of that.”
A win on Wednesday would ensure the England women’s side eclipses its best World Cup result of third in 2015. Doing so over Australia would be extra sweet.
The perennial rivalry between the two nations, however, has almost been lost on their Dutch-born coach Sarina Wiegman who was asked about it after England’s 2-1 quarter final win over Colombia.
“I just think it is going to be really big,” she said. “But I’ve had a couple of questions about that now so it’s probably going to be bigger than I imagined now.
“So I’ll talk to my players and staff and see what that rivalry is then. I think the Australians and English can get along really well, and we’ve had such a warm welcome here. We’ve really enjoyed our time here in Australia, and I actually really like the people here.
“But that doesn’t mean there’s no rivalry, so we’ll see that on Wednesday.”
Wednesday’s clash will be played at 11am London time. Emma McClarkin from the British Beer and Pub Association says the pints will be poured early as the country gathers to watch the show-stopper against the host nation.
“Pubs are unrivalled in the camaraderie, atmosphere and passion they bring to watching live sport,” she said. “We should celebrate the growth of women’s sport in the UK, and the Euros-winning England team is spearheading the push towards greater equality in sport, and we’re proud that pubs are playing a part in promoting the women’s game.”
Across the Channel, French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to back the Matildas all the way, making good on a bet he made with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the knock-out game against France.
And as for Piers Morgan? The British broadcaster spent much of the English summer lashing Australia in the cricket – labelling the men’s team “cheating convicts” who only retained the Ashes thanks to some favourable weather.
“You know what to do @Lionesses – make Ashes of the Matildas,” he tweeted.
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