Caitlin Foord & Tony Gustavsson | Pre-Match Press Conference | Australia v Denmark | FIFA Women's World Cup™

Australia takes on Denmark in their Round of 16 clash on Monday, 7 August (8:30 pm AEST), with both teams fighting for a place in the quarter-finals. 

Head Coach Tony Gustavsson and forward Caitlin Foord were available to the media during a Pre-Match Press Conference following Australia's arrival in Sydney last night.

The Round of 16 clash will see Australia return to Stadium Australia for the first time since their 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their FIFA Women's World Cup opener, taking on Denmark for a place in the last eight. 

Tony Gustavsson talked about the test that Denmark would pose the team, "If we bring the feeling we had after that (Republic of Ireland) game and the feeling the team had at training today, it's going to be a very exciting game tomorrow." 

Sydney will host the CommBank Matildas for the second time this tournament, with forward Caitlin Foord hailing from the city and excited to play in front of her hometown crowd once again. 

"This is my hometown and one of my favourite stadiums. I couldn't be more excited to be back here." 

Foord found the back of the net twice in Australia's last meeting with Denmark, helping the side come from behind to record a 3-1 victory over the Danes, their first win over the side. 

"Tomorrow's a new game, a different game. Myself as an individual and the rest of the girls, we have to be at our best," she said. 

"I think we all know Harder, along with other players in the Denmark team as well, they are quality. If we let them play their best game, they're players that can change a game in a moment... we've always said from the start, if we're together as a team, work well as a team, and shut down players like that, it's in our hands."

The forward talked about the news throughout the week, released by Football Australia, that the Matildas’ jerseys for this FIFA Women’s World Cup are outselling the Socceroos’ jerseys from the FIFA Men’s World Cup two to one. 

"For us as players, it's crazy to see those numbers and how many they've sold... it's something we never thought would have happened a couple of years ago looking into the future."

"It's rewarding to know the game is in a good place and looking in the right direction... it already has, but at the end of the World Cup it's going to change football in this country forever."

Foord played the full 90 minutes in Australia's do-or-die game against Canada, providing the assist on Mary Fowler's goal. The forward explained the team would be going into the game with the same mindset as their last group stage game, do-or-die.

"That game was do-or-die for us and this is the exact same. We go in with the same mindset. We're here to go all the way, and that's another hurdle tomorrow... to stay on the journey we want to be on." she said.

FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ - Round of 16

Australia v Denmark
Date: Monday, 7 August 2023
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Kick-Off: 8:30 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Optus Sport and Channel 7 
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