The football code war in Australia – fought not by soldiers with guns, but rather by a flagrant media and fervent voice of an active support – in the last fortnight collectively stopped in admiration for the endeavours of individuals within their respected fields.
Two people that carry large significance in Victoria celebrated milestones; AFL’s Dustin Fletcher notched up 400 games, becoming only the third person ever to reach that number, while Matildas skipper Lisa De Vanna reached 100 game milestone in international football, the fifth Australian women to achieve the feat, and the sixth person ever in Australian football history, man or woman.
The the self-effacing demeanour of the 40-year-old Fletcher hardly suited the media attention he’d learned to shy away from over the years. In stark contrast, Lisa De Vanna’s big hoorah couldn’t be any better primed, for the big personality of the self-confessed “naughty girl” of football.
“I was disruptive,’’ she told adelaidenow.com.au.
“I was a kid back then, I was bad tempered.
“Because I’m such a passionate person and I didn’t know how to control my emotions, because I loved the game way too much.
“Being 30 years old now and looking back at it, it was just a stupid thing.”
The vivacious, irrepressible nature of the Matildas star matched the set occasion to perfection. A meeting with the world’s best Women’s national team, the USA, in Australia’s opening fixture of the World Cup 2015.
While the legs of Fletch seemed to fail him in his big milestone fixture, De Vanna showed on a world stage what she still has to offer to the Australian public with a magical performance and a goal, with only the win missing from a fantastic day of football.
Significantly, she heaped praise on the team rather than taking the personal plaudits, showing her progression from disruptive starlet to national team leader.
“I give credit to the girls. They battled to the end,” She told SBS after the game.
“We lost the fight but we haven’t lost the battle.”
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That battle was fought with an explosive start, as the Matildas were unlucky not to go ahead early after a wonderful hit from Emily Van Egmond outside the box. The USWNT’s world-class keeper Hope Solo produced a brilliant save to tip the shot onto and over the crossbar.
The Matildas looked organised and confident, with multiple runs through the midfield setting up excellent scoring opportunities for De Vanna and fellow attacker Samantha Kerr.
The US team were nervy and struggled to get into the game, facing a constant stream of pressure from the Matildas. In the 12th minute against the flow of play Megan Rapinoe’s strike outside the box deflected off defender Laura Alleway and past Hudson (nee Barbieri) for a goal. Not to be deterred, the Aussie girls kept up the tempo and stuck to their attacking game plan.
Kerr and Caitlin Foord dominated the wing with their overlapping runs causing havoc for the US squad. Kerr’s volley inside the box produced another wonderful save from Solo, determined to keep the Matildas out as they fought hard for the equaliser.
In the 27th minute, it paid off with a wonderful team move; the scorer none other than Lisa De Vanna.
The captain – who had clearly read the script – slotted home a wonderful goal with the assistance of Michelle Heyman who received a clinical pass into the box from Alleway.
Unlike the first 45 minutes, the US started the second half with confidence as they searched for a goal to take the lead.
After a brilliant run down the wing, Sydney Leroux’s pass to Christen Press was enough for the striker to net the team’s second goal in the 61st minute, much to the delight of the US-dominant crowd. Looking jaded and out of gas, the Matilda’s struggled to keep up the intensity that helped them dominate the first half.
Not even the wing wizardry on the right flank from De Vanna seemed enough to inspire the Matildas to a comeback, as a number of her dangerous deliveries were repelled back towards the midfield. Kyah Simon was subbed on for Heyman, coach Stajcic hoping her pace and intensity could make a difference.
In the 78th minute, attacker Rapinoe’s solo run and precise finish sewed up the contest with the two-goal lead looking unsurmountable given the time left remaining. Hopes of a second equaliser from the Australian team went with it despite a spirited performance from both the team and its poster child De Vanna.
With pace and flair all over the park, the Matilda’s are confident that their solid game plan and thrilling attacking style will be enough to snare an all-important three points in game two of Group D against Nigeria. Here’s hoping game 101 for De Vanna comes alongside three points for the Aussies.