Awkward scenario facing Matildas as teammates turn foes fighting for Asian Cup trophy
Ninety minutes of football against the best team in Asia. That is all that stands between the Matildas and the Women's Asian Cup title.
It is a moment that the Matildas have been waiting 16 years for, with this match likely the last time that this Australian squad will play at a major tournament on home soil together.
The Matildas will step into a venue that has hosted countless iconic sporting moments over the years on Saturday night, taking on a group of familiar faces in what shapes as a thriller of a final.
READ MORE: Tributes flow for AFL legend after heartbreaking reveal
READ MORE: Broncos ditch Tallis honour as war turns nuclear
READ MORE: Fears for Sam Kerr after late withdrawal
Japan celebrates their semi-final win. Corbis via Getty Images
Who is trying to spoil the party?
There will be no shortage of familiar faces on the opposition team, with almost all the players in Japan's squad playing alongside or against a Matilda at club level.
Sixteen of those competing on Australian soil for the Asian Cup are regular starters in the Women's Super League, including 2023 World Cup golden boot winner Hinata Miyazawa. Sam Kerr will face Chelsea teammates Maika Hamano and Hikaru Kitagawa, while Mary Fowler will take on fellow Manchester City stars Ayaka Yamashita and Yui Hasegawa.
In fact, just two players in Japan's starting XI that faced Vietnam and South Korea during the Asian Cup do not play in the WSL.
While the England league is widely regarded as the best in the women's game, those in Japan's squad that are not in the WSL are in the next best top flight leagues.
Momoko Tanikawa and Remina Chiba both play in the Frauen-Bundesliga in Germany, while Chika Hirao is in Spain in the Liga F. Miyabi Moriya, Manaka Matsukubo, Mina Tanaka and Yuzuki Yamamoto are all in the National Women's Soccer League in the US.
Sam Kerr and Maika Hamano with the Women's Super League Trophy. Chelsea FC via Getty Images
It is that level of depth in the squad - the Matildas also have it, but to a lesser extent - that has elevated Japan over the years, conceding just one goal this tournament.
Japan, who are the world No.6, is the favourite leading into the final, with the Matildas happily accepting the underdog tag knowing that they will have a home crowd advantage.
But many have also noted that the Matildas suffered a 4-0 loss to the visitors last year.
Still, Steph Catley does not believe it is a "mission impossible" match.
"We have beaten Japan before," she said on Thursday.
"We have our own strengths, which I'm sure they'll be looking at and will be worried about. The fact that it is a final, anything can happen.
"I have been in so many finals where my team is the underdog and no one gave us a chance, then we come out and won. We are a great side, and we back ourselves."
Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League
Joe Montemurro, head coach of Australia, watches on. Getty
Japan manager Nils Nielsen and Australian manager Joe Montemurro had a similar view on the match to Catley, simply declaring that in a final favouritism does not matter.
"It's like asking a bee to explain to a fly why honey is better than shit," Nielsen told reporters at the pre-game press conference on Friday.
"We are talking about a final in a major tournament. Both teams can win.
"They know precisely our strengths, they know precisely their own strengths, they know weaknesses from us, they know their own weaknesses ... those that adapt best during the game will win it. It's 50-50."
Montemurro added: "It's the best team and the one who wants it more (will win)."
No more empty stands
The next generation of Australian superstars are slowly working their way into the first team, with some Matildas veterans nearing 15 years in and around the team.
The development of the women's game over the course of their time in the national team has been immense, given only 10 years ago they played in front of tiny crowds.
Players of Australia celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup Final. Visual China Group via Getty Ima
For Kerr, this game will differ significantly to the last time she lifted the Asian Cup trophy.
In 2010, a 16-year-old striker stepped onto the field in the hopes of getting minutes on the national team and eventually went on to end the tournament with a title.
"I was just really happy to be there, and had no expectations," Kerr said.
"It's so new, so fresh to me that I think I was just living in a little bit of a blur the whole tournament. We just kind of went with it.
"We were so naive, so many things went over our head. We had that kid mentality of 'whatever'."
Kerr recalled being nervous about that tournament during a Football Australia documentary, even though the crowd she fronted were significantly smaller than now.
The capacity for Chengdu Sports Centre, where the final was played, was 39,225. Only 1,200 people were in attendance at the stadium for the final in 2010.
Kerr is the only player on that title-winning Matildas squad that is still in the team today and she will lead the team out at Stadium Australia, which holds 83,500 fans.
Caitlin Foord celebrates with teammates, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler and Ellie Carpenter. Getty
The missing piece of silverware
The Matildas have already had the so-called "scare" that they needed to shake off the nerves of being in the tournament a 3-3 draw against South Korea to end the group stage, which relegated them to second and the long route to the final.
It may have actually been a blessing in disguise, considering it put them on the opposite side of the draw to Japan, the best credentialed team in the tournament.
The chance to further develop the legacy that they have built in the football world is a significant incentive for gun right back Ellie Carpenter.
"When can I say that I'll ever have another final in Australia in a major tournament? Never, probably," she said on Friday.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us and most of the girls' careers and it is (about) who wants it more.
"I've been in this team for 10 years and haven't lifted a trophy with the team yet. I think it'll be a cherry on top for most of the girls (to do that)."
However, it should be noted that Japan's dominance this year has been frightening.
Japan has defeated Australia twice before in Asian Cup finals but the Matildas will be buoyed by the breathtaking tournament they put together last time Australia hosted a major tournament, exposing them to some huge games before they lost to England at the semi-final stage.
They are known to make the most of rare opportunities, even when their rivals have dominated possession. With Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Fowler in attacking roles, the Matildas can win games despite being starved of opportunities.
It is going to all come down to who is in the zone to snatch the title on Saturday at Accor Stadium. The game will kick off at 8pm (AEDT).
