Matildas snubbed from World Cup awards

Australia's record-breaking Matildas players have been overlooked from the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup award nominations, despite producing a series of eye-catching performances, including their Round of 16 elimination of tournament heavyweight Brazil.

a

Matildas star Michelle Heyman reacts after her team was defeated by Japan in their FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-final. (Getty) Source: Getty Images North America

Australia's team won admirers at home and abroad for a series of stirring performances that captured the imagination of the football public and led to debate about the disparity of wages between men and women footballers.

When the Matildas were eliminated from the quarter-finals by fierce continental rival Japan, American journalist Kevin McAuley: "Instead, remember what Australia accomplished at this tournament. They played five extremely entertaining matches, which is more than we can say for any other team.

"They became the first Australian team, men's or women's, to win a knockout stage game in the World Cup, and they did it against Brazil.
"Australia were awesome, and they made this World Cup more fun."
Sadly for the Matildas, that sentiment wasn't shared by the award judges. 

Finalists Japan and USA dominated the nominees for the prestigious Gold Ball - awarded to the tournament's best player - with five players from the eight chosen. Semi-finalists England anf Germany contributed one each, with eliminated quarter-finalist France contributing the final nominee.

Star Matildas striker Kyah Simon, whose goals lifted the team to wins over Nigeria and Brazil - the latter marking an historic first knockout round win for a senior Australia team at a World Cup, and midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight - among Australia's most consistent players - weren't able to get a look in. 

USA stars Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Johnston along with Japan's captain Aya Miyama and defender Saori Ariyoshi headlined the Golden Ball selection, Germany forward Celia Sasic, England defender Lucy Bronze and France's Amandine Henry also in line for that gong.

Henry made the short-list, despite her team being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany on penalties.

Lloyd helped lift the United States past Germany in the semi-final with a penalty and a decisive cross for a 2-0 win.

Sasic missed a penalty in the game against the United States but is the tournament's top scorer with six goals.

The candidates for the Golden Glove for the tournament's top goalkeeper are Germany's Nadine Angerer, the 2007 winner; Japan's Ayumi Kaihori and American Hope Solo, who won in 2011.

It is in the Young Player Award that the Matildas could feel most aggrieved, with versatile 20 year-old Caitlin Foord among the tournament's brightest prospects. She were overlooked in favour of Canada's Kadeisha Buchanan, 19, Norway's Ada Hegerberg, 19, and 20 year-old Chinese midfielder Tang Jiali.

With AAP


Share
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
3 min read
Published 3 July 2015 12:04pm
Updated 3 July 2015 12:21pm
By Tom Findlay

Share this with family and friends