Ange Postecoglou is revelling in the Matildas’ success as Sam Kerr and her teammates plot to overcome England in their Women’s World Cup semi-final.
The two sides meet in Sydney on Wednesday in the latest instalment of the countries’ great sporting rivalry.
Postecoglou, the former Socceroos boss who’s now the new manager of English Premier League club Tottenham, will be tuned in from enemy territory in London and plans to make the most of being surrounded by England fans.
“Talking to people back home, the whole nation’s got right behind the Matildas and rightly so, they’ve been outstanding,” Melbourne-raised Postecoglou told Optus Sport.
“A semi-final against the English … I’m glad I’m here (in London).
“I’ll be able to rub it in a few noses if the girls get up, which I’m sure they will.”
Postecoglou is one of many Australian sporting figures captivated by the Matildas’ surge to a first World Cup semi-final appearance.
NBA superstar Patty Mills and his Australia teammates have been inspired by the feats of Tony Gustavsson’s side.
The Boomers’ game against Brazil in Melbourne on Wednesday – a warm-up ahead of the FIBA World Cup – has been brought forward more than two hours to avoid a clash with the Matildas.
“The way the ladies play with so much heart and passion has been so inspiring to witness,” Mills said.
“Just like the rest of the country, our Boomers team have been locked in for each game, watching it as a team and enjoying every part of supporting and celebrating these incredible athletes.
“Supporting our fellow Australian athletes is crucial, so moving our game was an easy decision.”
The Boomers’ shift comes after last Saturday night’s Carlton-Melbourne AFL contest was pushed back to accommodate the Matildas’ quarter-final against France.
Sports fans packed the MCG concourse and bars to watch Australia’s gripping 7-6 penalty shootout win on TV screens during the first quarter of the AFL match.
“It was awesome and I don’t know if anyone was watching our game,” Demons premiership midfielder Angus Brayshaw said.
“The crowd was giving us little updates along the way with how we (the Matildas) were going and it was an awesome way to integrate what they’re doing, which is incredible.”
The Matildas have become Australia’s biggest television ratings hit in more than two decades, with a peak audience of 7.2 million tuning in for the quarter-final.
The cultural phenomenon has empowered female athletes in other sports.
“It’s really exciting to be a woman playing sport right now,” AFLW premiership player Sinead Goldrick said.
