The Matildas are daring to dream of making a run at a maiden Women’s World Cup title as big names crash out and the tournament opens up.
World No.2 and double champions Germany on Thursday night became the latest group-stage casualty, joining Olympic champions Canada and mainstays Brazil in suffering an early elimination.
Australia face Denmark in the round of 16 at Stadium Australia on Monday night, with the winner to face either France or Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Defender Alanna Kennedy delighted in seeing Morocco’s reaction to qualifying at Germany’s expense and said the exit of big names only underlined how every game was a must-win.
Kennedy would not be drawn on what success would look like for world No.10 Australia but clearly she is eyeing silverware.
“I said in an interview earlier that we’ve done everything, but we’ve yet to win anything,” Kennedy said.
“We have done so many things as a group. We’ve beaten so many teams ranked above us and played such good football, but it’s about winning something.
“We’re just taking each step as it comes with the vision of winning the World Cup in the end, but that’s still so far away.
“We still have so many things before we even get to that game and our focus is purely on this Denmark game.”
Winger Hayley Raso urged the Matildas to seize the chance to achieve something special.
“We look at it as an opportunity,” Raso told reporters on Friday.
“There’s really tough competition. Anybody can win in this tournament and you’ve seen that already with a lot of top teams being knocked out, some lower-ranked teams going through.
“It depends who turns up on the night, depends who wants it the most.
“It shows just how much women’s football has grown, with how tough the competition is.
“We know what’s on the line. We know what’s at stake.
“We got really fired up for the last game and we need to take that same mentality and that same focus into this game against Denmark – and hopefully those after.”
The Matildas trained at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre on Friday ahead of moving to Sydney on Saturday.
Skipper Sam Kerr, on the comeback trail from the calf injury that stopped her playing in the group stage, was on an exercise bike.
Football Australia confirmed Kerr wouldn’t be on the track every day as part of her rehabilitation plan.
Winger Cortnee Vine had a light day for loading reasons, while forward Kyah Simon (knee) was briefly sighted walking laps.
Defender Charli Grant is in concussion protocols after suffering a delayed reaction from a head knock minutes into her World Cup debut against Canada on Monday, but is on track to be available.
