‘Attack Is The Best Form Of Defence’

The Matildas head to Augsburg in south-west Bavaria for a prime time (Sunday 9pm kick-off, AEST) clash with the world number five ranked Swedes - a nation Australia has only beaten once in their last eight meetings.

A victory would make history for football in this country with it being the first time ever a senior national team has reached the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup.

However Alagich, a tough defender capped 86 times for the green and gold before retiring in 2008, conceded that the Matildas defence has struggled in the group stage.

But she stressed it was a problem easily fixed as Australia head into their second consecutive FIFA World Cup quarter-final with an attack that continues to catch the eye.

“Our attacking flair is just amazing. We’ve got amazing talent up front so [we can] win the game by keep attacking and keep attacking and getting in behind and using [Lisa] De Vanna’s speed and Kyah Simon, using players like that who can change the game,” she told au.fourfourtwo.com.

De Vanna has arguably been Australia’s best player so far putting in some complete performances while Simon’s World Cup sprung to life against Norway with a brace in a 2-1 win to help the Matildas qualify for the knockout stage.

Sydney FC forward Leena Khamis has also scored despite restricted time on the park while young Sammy Kerr is a genuine star of the future.

Alagich hopes that by emphasizing attack Australia will take the pressure of a defence that has come under the microscope so far in Germany.

Four goals were conceded by Australia in Group D with all four resulting from defensive sloppiness of varying degrees.

This would have been noted by the Swedish brains trust but Alagich cautioned against making any wholesale changes to the side.

“They’ll [Sweden] be a very physical team. Pretty much a similar style to Norway in that they’ll be very aggressive and look to play the long ball,” added Alagich.

“It’s just a matter of fixing up little mistakes in the backline, and becoming a lot more compact. There are a lot of things they can work on. We really need to improve for our next game.

“There have been a few sloppy mistakes that it doesn’t take rocket science to fix them up. All it takes is a bit of communication and keeping switched on for the full 90.

“They do seem to switch off at crucial moments. But with the experience of three games under their belt it’s just a matter of keeping switched on and keeping compact and working together as a four and allowing the midfielders to pick up second balls.”

Coach Tom Sermanni has proved a master at picking specific sides for specific games. It remains to be seen if he brings in the more physically imposing Melbourne Victory defender Laura Alleway, 21, into central defence to help counter Sweden’s height and direct style.

Brisbane Roar's Claire Polkinghorne’s experience and athleticism may also be used on the right of defence with speculation talented teenager Caitlin Foord may be rested for this game.

Australia might also see the likes of Tameka Butt or Emily Van Egmond return in midfield as Sermanni again may look to tinker with his side and keep the Swedes guessing.

And for his part Sermanni has also heaped the pressure back on Sweden, who go in as slight favourites for a clash that is sure to be a ratings winner in Australia.

"The further you go the less pressure you're under. We've achieved what we wanted and beaten a team who are high in the world and had ambitions to win the tournament," he told media.

"The pressure is far more on Sweden."

As for the World Cup itself, it’s evident Germany 2011 has outshone even the 1999 World Cup in the USA – an event generally regarded as the greatest so far in Women’s World Cup history.

The crowds, the stadiums, the pitches, the coverage and overall quality of play from not just the so-called established nations have caught the imagination of fans worldwide and in Australia.

And the players have been impressed too. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve never played in front of crowds this big,” Matildas defender Elise Kellond-Knight told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“It’s unreal playing in front of a crowd that’s so loud and so well football educated, not like your typical Asian crowd who sort of just cheer at anything. They know what they’re cheering about.”

And the Australian media appear to have woken up to the Matildas. The Age newspaper in Melbourne featured the team on Friday’s front cover with a page three story on the rise of the green and gold girls.

This sort of increased coverage is being seen across the country and comes after the team were featured on the front of FourFourTwo magazine's June issue – the first time ever a female footballer has appeared on the magazine’s cover.

“Every year we go on we generate more media attention. You can’t really compare it to eight years ago and even before that,” added Alagich.

“It’s been absolutely unreal. I’d give my left leg to be out there right now.”

The Green and Gold Army – Australia’s official fan network – have confirmed to au.fourfourtwo.com that lives sites are up in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth for Sunday night’s clash. Details at www.ggarmy.com.

Sunday night’s game will be telecast on SBS-TV.