Will the Matildas waltz their way to the final, or will the Lionesses once again roar to victory? (Picture: SWNS)
A pack of ‘half Brits half Aussies’ say they are torn over who to support in tomorrow’s World Cup semi final.
The Matildas take on the Lionesses on Wednesday morning, in what is sure to be yet another exciting clash amidst a tournament of unexpected twists and turns so far.
Football fever has gripped Australia – co-hosts of the Women’s World Cup alongside New Zealand.
The Matildas reached the semi-final after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out with France.
The likes of goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and forward Sam Kerr have been elevated to hero status as excitement grows ahead of tomorrow’s match.
But for many fans, they are in the midst of an identity crisis on where their loyalties lie when Australia takes on England.
Meika Wallace, 39, was born in Queensland, Australia and moved to Newcastle when she was eight because of her father’s was a race car driver of vintage cars.
She now lives in Kidbrooke, London, and is torn over who she wants to go through in tomorrow’s semi final between England and the Matildas.
Samantha Mawdsley (right) has supported the Aussies in their games so far… (Picture: Samantha Mawdsley/SWNS)
But she’s also backed England in the past… (Picture: Samantha Mawdsley/SWNS)
Meika, a teaching assistant, will be cheering on Australia – while on holiday at Butlins in Bognor Regis.
She said: ‘I have mixed feelings but I’m rooting for Australia but am happy with either team going through.
‘I think it might go to penalties, and if it does, I think Australia will go through.
‘Plus, Sam Kerr should be back playing, and she’s one of the best in the world.’
Meika Wallace is also now torn between the Matildas and the Lioneseses (Picture: Meika Wallace/SWNS)
Co-hosts Australia hope to make history if they can beat England and reach the final (Picture: Reuters)
Football mad Samantha Mawdsley, 37, is from Brisbane, Australia, but owing to her Liverpool born Dad she often supports England.
She has been going to both the England and Australia games, and has both teams’ kits – but can’t decide who to support, or what kit to wear on Wednesday.
She even managed to get tickets for England’s round of 16 game against Nigeria, who they narrowly beat on penalties.
She said: “Football is my life.
‘I always supported England, and grew up loving David Beckham and Michael Owen.
Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr and Steph Catley celebrate the team’s victory after a tense penalty shootout with France (Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images )
‘I’m also a die-hard Liverpool fan, so have to stay up late to watch their premier league games.
‘I think Australia might just get through, just because of home advantage but I really don’t know who I’d prefer to go through.’
She will be watching the game, which takes place at the Stadium Australia in Sydney, at her local football club in Brisbane after training.
She also has tickets to the third-place play-off.
‘At least I will get to see one of my teams play, whatever happens,’ she said.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman and captain Millie Bright speak to media at Stadium Australia(Picture: EPA)
‘Everyone here has been totally swept up in the football. There’s talk of having a public holiday if Australia win it.
‘It makes a nice change football being in Australia so it’s actually at reasonable time to watch for us Aussies.’
Elsewhere, a Englishman living in Australia with his Australian wife says they plan to ‘sit at opposite ends of the couch’ for the game.
Alex Finlayson, who is originally from Redcar in Middlesborough and now lives in Jimboomba, Queensland, Australia, said watching the match with his wife Kelly will create an ‘odd atmosphere’, but he will continue to root for the Lionesses.
Keira Walsh and Alex Greenwood after England’s win over Colombia (Picture: James Gourley/Shutterstock)
Mr Finlayson said he will be outnumbered on match day as he and his wife will watch the game with their daughter Charli, 14, son Samson, 12, and their Australian friends who will all be supporting Australia.
The religious education teacher said: ‘My wife just gets passionate about (football) and obviously she’s an Aussie so she’d be passionate about Australia, but she loves England as well so it’s going to be a very odd atmosphere.’
The teacher said he would feel disappointed if England lose, but would remain excited for Australia if they win through.
Mr Finlayson said he is a fan of England goalie Mary Earps in particular, but noted that Australian forward Mary Fowler might be a bother for England in the semi-final after her performance in the previous round.
The winner of Wednesday’s game will face Spain in the World Cup Final, after Sweden faced a 2-1 defeat.
Superstar teenager Salma Paralluelo came off the bench to score with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining and after Rebecka Blomqvist levelled it up in the 88th minute, Olga Carmona scored just moments later as the Spaniards reached the final of the tournament for the first time in their history.
Spain had never advanced beyond the round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup but will now face either European champions England or host nation Australia in Sunday’s final as Sweden’s 39-year wait for a major trophy goes on.
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Will the Matildas waltz their way to the final, or will the Lionesses once again roar to victory?