Key Points
- The Matildas are prioritising recovery over training for Women's World Cup semi-final against England.
- Coach Tony Gustavsson emphasises tactics and mental readiness ahead of the clash.
- Team unity shines as the Matildas rely on hard work, fitness and support to face challenging moments.
Fear not - there won't be any friendly fire in Matildas camp ahead of their huge Women's World Cup semi-final against England.
That's because there'll be barely anyone on the track.
With a four-day turnaround between the mentally and physically , recovery is on the cards.
Heavy legs will be stretched and eased back into action, while bruised bodies will be spared any load beyond the 120 minutes and penalties players spent on their feet on Saturday night.
It's all about chasing that spot in the final.
Matildas focus on recovery
"We've got the best medical staff in the world," midfielder Katrina Gorry said.
"So we'll be doing a lot of recovery. We get to Sydney, sleep as much as we can, eat as much as we can, drink as much as we can and be ready."
Time on the pitch will be replaced by meetings, tactical work and treatment.
"What is good is that we have continuity with what we are doing and clear playing styles," coach Tony Gustavsson said.
"We don't really need to train to be tactically prepared.
"It is more about making sure we are mentally and physically prepared for the semi-final coming up. These players are on a mission."
Head coach Tony Gustavsson said the Matildas don't need to train to be tactically prepared against England. Source: AAP / Patrick Hoelscher
Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler and Emily van Egmond have also been busy, while Sam Kerr played 65 of her 75 minutes to date against France.
England only needed 90 minutes to complete a 2-1 comeback win over Colombia but previously went to penalties against Nigeria.
Between injuries, suspension and a formation change, England have rotated their squad more.
Only Alex Greenwood and Millie Bright have played every minute but Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway and Rachel Daly have also carried significant loads.
It makes who can go the distance, if required, an intriguing proposition.
Catley had a compression bandage on her right thigh upon arrival in Sydney on Sunday.
On Saturday night, Cooney-Cross had one of her shins iced after a nasty challenge early in the game.
Catley hailed and backed her team's fitness and commitment.
"It's just using years of hard work, years and years of running and conditioning and everything that you know, you've put in the work and prepared for, it prepares you for moments like that," she told reporters.
"You can fall back on the work that you've done, and I've done plenty of it and so has every other girl out there and I think that's what it comes down to.
"It's the work you've put in and the understanding of each other and helping each other and if someone's struggling someone else steps in and helps.
"So that's where we are as a team right now and everyone's there for each other - if one person falls down, the next steps up and it's very, very special."
Matildas and Lionesses' new twist to Anglo-Aussie duels
England manager Sarina Wiegman says she'll lean on her players to get to grips with the dynamics of the Anglo-Australian rivalry after her side set up a Women's World Cup semi-final encounter with the Matildas.
Wiegman's side survived a dogged battle with Colombia on Saturday at Sydney's Stadium Australia, emerging with a 2-1 win to pass through to the last four.
They will return to the same venue on Wednesday for the first World Cup meeting between the two sides.
"I think it's going to be really big... now I've had a couple of questions about it, it's probably going to be bigger than I imagined," Wiegman said.
"So I'll talk to my players and staff and see what rivalry is.
"I think the English and Australia can get along, we've really enjoyed our time here.
"But that doesn't mean there's no rivalry, so we'll see that on Wednesday."
The European champions' 30-game unbeaten streak was ended by the Matildas in their last meeting in April.
England proved on Saturday that they could withstand the pressure.
Playing against a hostile, largely pro-Colombia crowd they became the first side to come from behind to win at the knockout stages of this tournament.
Wiegman, who will be without her side's still-suspended creative linchpin Lauren James, added: "That's one of our strengths, we don't panic, we speed things up and try and score goals - and I hope we keep that up."
