Brisbane, Aug 9 (Representative) Clare Hunt’s authority, leadership and poise give the impression she is a Matildas veteran who has banked a wealth of major tournament experience. In fact, the commanding 24-year-old centre-back only made her maiden senior Australia appearance less than six months ago. Such was her performance level in that game – a 4-0 win over Czech Republic – Tony Gustavsson described it as the best display he’d seen from a debutant in his time as national team coach.Hunt has remained a mainstay in the Matildas team ever since, and her confident, front-foot defending has been a key factor in the co-hosts recording clean sheets in three of their fourmatches so far at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. That defensive resilience was supplemented by attacking flair when Australia overwhelmed Canada 4-0 in their do-or-die final group-stage game and clinically dispatched Denmark 2-0 in the round of 16. Hunt, who plays her club football in her homeland for Western Sydney Wanderers, is now just three victories away from capping her astonishing rise by becoming a world champion.Speaking exclusively to FIFA, she was bullish about the possibility of that dream becoming a reality.
“We’re lethal in attack and solid in defence,” she said. “We’ve had two clean sheets in a row and we’ve scored six goals in the past two games. We’ve got all the ingredients to win this thing.”On the elements of the last-16 performance which have fuelled that belief, she added, “Our transitional game is really positive – and it’s something that wins us games. Against Denmark,I feel all the girls on the park contributed to the attack and the defence.” “We scored two great goals and I think Caitlin Foord was immense. Having Sam Kerr come on is huge, too, and the midfield is also really solid. On the whole, it was an amazing night and it felt great to get the job done.” Kerr’s return from the calf injury which kept her out of Australia’s group-stage fixtures means coach Gustavsson can now call on one of the most feared strikers in world football. The Matildas captain, who was introduced as a substitute for the final ten minutes of the Denmark game, gathered theteam in a huddle post-match to deliver a rousing speech.
“She said this is just the beginning for us,” Hunt revealed. “We’ve got a lot of positivity in the group and we’re already looking forward to the next game. It’s a massive relief to have Sam back. The crowd showed their appreciation for her and the atmosphere was incredible when she came on. Asa team, we’re so happy to have her back available.” Hunt, meanwhile, is determined to savour every moment from the tournament. Her journey to the top of the game has been far from plain sailing. She only turned 24 in March, but in her short career to date she has already sustained an ACL injury, undergone surgeries on her other knee, broken an ankle and had a shoulder reconstructive operation.Now fighting fit and shining on the biggest stage of all, excitement in her voice is palpable when she discusses the thrill of representing her country at a home Women’s World Cup. “I’m trying to take it all in! I can only describe it as really, really special. I understand the magnitude of what we’re doing and I’m just enjoying it as much as I possibly can.” she added.