Australia Chasing History against Japan Today
Published on June 27, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO (June 27, 2015) - Steph Catley and Australia are chasing history when they take to the field against Japan Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on FOX in a quarterfinal match at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Portland Thorns FC defender and her compatriots are 90 minutes away from reaching the semifinals for the first time in their history after they sealed their place in the last eight with an upset 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16.
Former NWSL players Kyah Simon and Lisa De Vanna combined for the goal - with De Vanna, who played for Sky Blue FC, the Boston Breakers and Washington Spirit, hitting a shot that Brazil goalkeeper Luciana could not hold onto before Simon, a former Breakers player, was first to the rebound and put the ball in the back of the net.
The pair has combined to score all five goals for Australia at the World Cup.
Catley, who recorded five assists with the Thorns on her way to earning a place on the 2014 NWSL Second XI, and Sky Blue FC defender Caitlin Foord each played pivotal roles as Australia kept Marta and company off the score sheet to post their second shutout of the tournament.
In addition to the defensive duo, Sky Blue FC forward Samantha Kerr and FC Kansas City midfielder Katrina Gorry have played in every game of the World Cup, with Kerr joining Catley and Foord in having played every minute of the competition so far to help the Matildas reach the quarterfinals for the third-consecutive tournament.
The victory against Brazil avenged a quarterfinal loss to the South Americans in 2007. The Matildas were beaten by Sweden at the same stage in the 2011 World Cup.
For Australia to make history and reach the semifinals at the World Cup for the first time, they will have to dethrone reigning world champions Japan. The AFC Asian Cup champions have won six of their last seven matches at the World Cup - with the sole match in the span that they did not win being a 2-2 draw with the United States in the 2011 World Cup Final, which Japan claimed on penalties.
The winner of the match Saturday will move on to face either England or hosts Canada in a World Cup semifinal at Commonwealth Stadium on Wednesday, July 1.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 27, 2015
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- Australia Chasing History against Japan Today - NWSL
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