“Lisa is just Lisa. She's super-fast and skilful and has done a wonderful job of Australia. She's so self confident. She's unbeatable in her mind,” Taylor told au.fourfourtwo.com today.

“She was my nemesis for a while in club football. I was a full back and she'd play as a striker. You knew you were in for a battle when she was playing,” addedTaylor, a 35-time capped former Matilda.

“She is deceptively strong for someone so small. And Lisa really pumps herself up. She has amazing self belief.”

De Vanna looms as the Aussies' not so secret weapon ahead of tonight's crunch final World Cup group match against Canada. The Perth-born 22-year-old has received rave reviews with the Canadian coach Even Pellerud singling her out as a key player.

The Aussies only need a draw or win to go through to the quarter finals. If so, they're likely to play either China, Brazil or Denmark.

The Aussies' game with Canada was postponed last night amid chaotic scenes. The Matildas were already on the team bus when the news came through of FIFA's decision. This was despite assurances that the game would not be postponed.

How this postponement will affect both teams is hard to say. Taylor feels it could slightly favour the world ranked nine Canadians.

“It's off putting for sure. Our girls will be primed and pumped for a game that's a battle of their lives," she said.

"It'll probably suit Canada more as more of their players will probably enjoy the rest as they've had more players who've played both games in the group stage.”

Taylor sees tonight's match as a test of the Aussies' physical prowess.

“As long as they can stand up for themselves in the physical contest they'll do okay," said Taylor.

"If it was the old school Matildas that would not be a problem, but the current generation are a lot more skillful.”

As for the tactic of holding back speed queens Sarah Walsh and strike partner De Vanna, Taylor said it's a tactic that could work again tonight.

“I'm not sure what way they're going with that," she added. "I can understand the tactic though, there's nothing worse with 30 minutes to go than for a super fast striker to come on. It's a mental battle.

“Then again, if he does start them both, the Aussies will go in all guns blazing.”

The Matildas are poised to become the new starlets of Aussie sport. Just like the Socceroos last year, the nation may be just ready to embrace a team that has struggled to gain recognition.

And this is something Taylor - who retired from the national team in 2005 and has since carved out a successful career as a newsreader with WIN TV - says they fully deserve.

She added: “Australia will be watching and hopefully this will open the nation's eyes to the sacrifices they've make along the way.

"Unlike the men, they haven't been able to earn millions of dollars.”

Asked if we can go all the way, Taylor said: “I hope so. I really hope so.

"The US and Brazil are the big challenges. We have a core group of players older than 20 who have played together for a long time. That's crucial.

“We knocked that monkey off our shoulder with that first World Cup win. If we get a nice road through, you never know.”