Charisa Bossinakis
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared he will try to enact a national holiday if the Matildas win the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
No pressure.
Ahead of the World Cup, the country's leader sat down with ABC Radio to wish the national team ‘good luck’.
“I don't think they need my advice. They’re all over it … I’m really looking forward to tonight. It will be a really exciting event,” he added.
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The Prime Minister also included a little incentive if the team triumphed in the international tournament.
“The states are in charge of public holidays … but I tell you what, it will be a time where we should celebrate as a nation if we win the World Cup,” Mr Albanese said.
His comments were reminiscent of last year’s, when he said he’d lobby for a public holiday if the Socceroos won the 2022 Men’s World Cup.
Some even advocated for a national holiday when the team made the top 16.
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One user said: "Can you imagine how f**king leathered everyone is in Australia already. Now they’re going to be drinking until 8am easily. They may as well declare a national holiday because f**k all is happening for the next few days."
A second added: "Australia deserves a national holiday after this."
A third said: "Realistically what would it take for Australia to get a public holiday based on Australia doing well in the football."
The Matildas are set to kick off their World Cup campaign on home soil against Ireland at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
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Next week, they’ll face off against Nigeria in Brisbane before ending the group stage in Melbourne against reigning Olympic champions Canada.
Before the Matildas take the field at 8pm AEST tonight, Matilda's captain Sam Kerr said she felt extremely 'confident'.
“As a team it’s going to go up and down, we have to just live in the moment,” she added, as per The Guardian.
“We spoke about it briefly today – it’s OK to feel nervous, it’s OK to get overawed by the crowd. That’s life, that’s football.”
According to the outlet, when the Ireland coach, Vera Pauw, was asked how her team could stop Kerr, she flippantly responded: “Ask Sam Kerr.”
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However, the captain didn’t remotely buckle yesterday (June 20) following her response.
“We have a lot of respect for Ireland … it’s about us tomorrow,” Kerr said.
Oh, it’s on.