<p>Australia, who lost to Nigeria and was on the verge of an unexpected World Cup departure, is now headed to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals and is motivated to go all the way.</p>
<p>The co-hosts think they can win their first World Cup thanks to the comeback of captain and star Sam Kerr and the elimination of the reigning champions, the United States.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-117892″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-itr-trends-15-taxpayers-test-new-tax-system-85-choose-old-with-deductions-d7k6nxrqjztikbni62u6kd2uzu-11zon-750×500.png” alt=”theindiaprint.com itr trends 15 taxpayers test new tax system 85 choose old with deductions d7k6nxrqjztikbni62u6kd2uzu 11zon” width=”1478″ height=”985″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-itr-trends-15-taxpayers-test-new-tax-system-85-choose-old-with-deductions-d7k6nxrqjztikbni62u6kd2uzu-11zon-750×500.png 750w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-itr-trends-15-taxpayers-test-new-tax-system-85-choose-old-with-deductions-d7k6nxrqjztikbni62u6kd2uzu-11zon-768×512.png 768w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-itr-trends-15-taxpayers-test-new-tax-system-85-choose-old-with-deductions-d7k6nxrqjztikbni62u6kd2uzu-11zon-150×100.png 150w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/theindiaprint.com-itr-trends-15-taxpayers-test-new-tax-system-85-choose-old-with-deductions-d7k6nxrqjztikbni62u6kd2uzu-11zon.png 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 1478px) 100vw, 1478px” title=”Sam Kerr's return keeps the hosts, Australia, focused on winning the World Cup 6″></p>
<p>Australia’s ambitions were in jeopardy after their 3-2 defeat to Nigeria in the group round, but they rebounded with a 4-0 demolition of the Olympic winners Canada and a 2-0 victory over Denmark in the round of 16.</p>
<p>Despite the attention given to skipper Kerr’s delayed participation in the competition due to a calf injury, Caitlin Foord and Mary Fowler outclassed Denmark on Monday in front of roughly 76,000 fans in Sydney.</p>
<p>The Matildas have all the momentum as they close in on their first World Cup semi-final and potentially more. They will play either France or World Cup rookies Morocco in the last eight.</p>
<p>Arsenal striker Foord stated, “If we play like this, we can beat anyone,” after giving the Danes a difficult time with her speed, agility, and strength.</p>
<p>Fowler, a 20-year-old attacker for Manchester City, was equally spectacular.</p>
<p>In the first half at a nearly full Stadium Australia, Foord’s precise finish was set up by her vision and an inch-perfect pass down the left flank.</p>
<p>Twenty minutes from time, Fowler again played a key role in the second goal, which Hayley Raso finished with a lethal touch.</p>
<p>One of the loudest shouts, though, was still to come, when talismanic striker Kerr walked off the bench 10 minutes later for her maiden tournament action.</p>
<p>The Chelsea goal scorer’s late fall gave the home crowd pause, but she seemed uninjured, and her comeback comes just in time for Australia.</p>
<p>Given that the 29-year-old has just recently returned from a three-week absence due to her calf injury, she may not even start in the Brisbane quarterfinal on Saturday.</p>
<p>She will be the ultimate super-sub, however, if Australia is trying to win the game.</p>
<p>Kerr’s comeback was “a massive boost for us,” according to Foord.</p>
<p>“For (other) teams looking ahead, it’s pretty scary to know that she’s back in the team and she’s going to be a part of it with us,” she said.</p>
<p>Then there is the assistance provided at home.</p>
<p>A more ruthless team than Denmark, which was playing in its first World Cup knockout match since 1995, may have punished the home team in the first 20 minutes.</p>
<p>When the Stadium Australia audience realized their team needed encouragement, they began chanting “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” in response.</p>
<p>Fowler and Foord teamed to devastating effect to send Australia on its path to a deserving win after Denmark failed to capitalize on their early dominance.</p>
<p>Tony Gustavsson, the coach of Australia, shed a tear when questioned about the crowd’s enthusiasm in the interview that followed.</p>
<p>The Swede said, “I truly do get emotional.</p>
<p>“Thank you for the support we get. Wow.”</p>
<p>Player of the match Foord referred to the crowd as their “12th man” and expressed her feelings of support for the Australian squad.</p>
<p>The 28-year-old said, “The entire country is behind us, and we do feel it, we do see it.”</p>
<p>Pressure increases as expectations rise, but Foord is certain they can manage it.</p>
<p>She stated, “I think when you’re not prepared, you feel pressure.”</p>
<p>We also feel ready. We believe that we are prepared for any situation and game.</p>
<p>We are simply enjoying our performances and improving on them, she said, so I don’t believe we feel any pressure.</p>
<p>“We understand that if we want to succeed, we must step it up a notch.”</p>
Sam Kerr’s return keeps the hosts, Australia, focused on winning the World Cup
