Sweden take bronze at Women’s World Cup, but Australia ‘won something bigger than a medal’
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Kosovare Asllani celebrates after scoring Sweden's second goal.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BRISBANE – Sweden scored either side of half-time to spoil Australia’s party and claim third spot at the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 win in Brisbane on Saturday.
But Matildas skipper Sam Kerr insisted their fairy-tale run “proved to the world that we are a footballing nation”.
In front of nearly 50,000 fans, Sweden took the lead with a 30th-minute penalty by Fridolina Rolfo and doubled their advantage with a powerful strike from Kosovare Asllani just after the hour.
It is the fourth time that 2003 runners-up Sweden have finished third at the tournament. England take on Spain in the final in Sydney on Sunday.
“It was an incredibly important match and the final 10 minutes were really tough,” coach Peter Gerhardsson said. “So when that final whistle went and we had won, there was a great sense of relief and it was a wonderful feeling.
“It’s great to win a match of this magnitude – there’s been a lot of attention paid to this tournament back in Sweden.”
Sweden fully deserved their win, dominating the midfield and keeping talismanic Australian striker Kerr relatively quiet.
Australia’s other dangerous attacker, Mary Fowler, had a night to forget as she struggled physically against the size and power of the Swedish defenders.
By contrast, Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius caused havoc among the Australian defence during her 63 minutes on the pitch and had a hand in both goals.
Player of the Match Rolfo said: “We showed from minute one that we were the better team. We deserved (to win) this match.
“I hope that this tournament can raise the standard for players in Australia and also that clubs get better and more professional. I think this tournament has been great for Australia in general.”
Some of the Australia players were in tears at the end, but this was still the co-hosts’ best World Cup ever.
“We wanted to have some hardware to take home, it wasn’t to be,” said Kerr, who did not start a game at the tournament until the 3-1 semi-final defeat by England
The skipper attempted to look at the bigger picture, saying: “We’ve proved to the world – and also within Australia – that we are a footballing nation.”
Her coach, Swede Tony Gustavsson, suggested that “maybe we won something bigger than a medal”.
“We wanted to bring home a medal for this team, for the fans, for family and friends, for this country,” he said. “We’re hurt... I’m so sorry we couldn’t give everyone this bronze medal.
“I’m too emotional now to reflect on the whole journey...
“But when we distance ourselves from this game and look at the whole tournament, I think maybe we won something bigger than a medal, considering how the nation has supported us.” AFP, REUTERS
