Soccer-England favourites but we have the crowd, says Australia coach

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Quarter Final - Australia v France - Brisbane Stadium , Brisbane, Australia - August 12, 2023 Australia's Sam Kerr and teammates applaud fans after the match REUTERS/Dan Peled/File photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia coach Tony Gustavsson is expecting a close match against England in the Women's World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday and is banking on the home crowd to lift the Matildas in the biggest game of their lives.

While fourth-ranked England were semi-finalists at the last two World Cups, and won the European Championship on home soil last year, 10th-ranked Australia have never previously been past the quarter-finals at a major global tournament.