Matildas away kit divides fans in stunning win over Canada at Women's World Cup

The Matildas are the talk of the Aussie sporting world after a stunning 4-0 victory over Olympic champions Canada at the Women's World Cup on Monday night. But there was one aspect of the performance that didn't sit particularly well with fans.

With the Matildas classed as the 'away' team for the fixture, the Aussies were forced to wear their alternate strip. It meant rather than the traditional green and gold that Aussie teams wear at international tournaments, the Matildas were wearing a predominantly light blue kit on Monday night.

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There were similar scenes at the men's World Cup last year when the Socceroos were forced to wear their dark blue away strip. And once again fans weren't particularly happy that the Matildas weren't wearing green and gold.

The light blue away strip was designed as a homage to the ocean that surrounds Australia as a country. But TV viewers couldn't believe the Matildas were forced to wear the alternate strip considering Canada were wearing red.

One fan wrote on social media: "Matildas not wearing yellow is so stupid. The away kit is awful." Another commented: "Great start but what the hell is Australia wearing? That looks nothing like us!" While a third wrote: "Not sure what's more embarrassing, the goal no goal goal, or the STUPID coloured jerseys the Matildas are wearing. hello.. GREEN OR GOLD FFS."

Matildas thrash Canada 4-0 to advance at World Cup

As it turns out the away kit might have actually proven to be the Matildas' lucky charm. After a 1-0 win over Ireland and 3-2 loss to Nigeria while wearing their traditional kit, the Aussies produced an incredible performance to beat Canada 4-0 and finish top of their group.

Hayley Raso scored a first-half double to give the Matildas the upper hand, before emerging star Mary Fowler added a third goal in the 58th minute. Hometown hero Steph Catley then buried a penalty to seal a famous victory in front of 27,706 fans at Melbourne's AAMI Park.

The Aussies finished top of group B with six points, after Nigeria drew 0-0 with Ireland in the other game to claim second and knock out Canada. "I never, ever doubted the players in terms of stepping up and performing well," Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said.

"We knew it was going to be tough but I knew the performance was going to be solid. I knew we were ready so even if we didn't score early I actually think we would've been looking good anyway. I was so convinced they were so ready to step up tonight."

The thumping win meant the Matildas bought talismanic striker Sam Kerr another six days to get her injured calf up to scratch. Kerr was named on the bench after missing the first two games of the tournament, but wasn't required on Monday night.

"The only words Sam said to the team was, 'make sure you win without me so I can get another week to try and recover and get healthy'," Gustavsson said. "The team responded and said, 'yes, we will, you sit on the bench tonight and we'll win for you'.

"You could see that commitment from the players, 'let's do it so Sam gets another week'. Having that belief as a team (to be without) in my opinion the best striker in the world, which I think Sam is, and still go out and play the fluid football we did against the Olympic champions and score four goals, I think is very impressive."

with AAP

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