Les Bleues eased into the last eight with a 4-0 win over
Morocco but must now overcome a hostile 50,000 crowd when they take on the
co-hosts with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.
“We love that. This is why we do this job. It is the beauty
of football,” Renard told reporters on the eve of the game.
“The Australian people deserve to be congratulated for
making this such a success.
“It has been a fantastic tournament. We are playing in
beautiful stadiums that are always full.
“We know we are not just playing against one team but
against an entire nation. But it just gives us extra motivation. We prefer this
to playing a friendly in front of 100 people.”
France lost 1-0 to the Matildas in a friendly in Melbourne a
week before the World Cup began, in front of a crowd of just over 50,000.
Days later, Australia lost skipper Sam Kerr to a calf injury
that led to her missing the entire group stage.
The Chelsea forward made her comeback off the bench late on
in the 2-0 win over Denmark in the last 16 and could now play a greater role
against France.
“I know all the Australian players. Knowing if she is going
to play or not is not my worry,” Renard said, playing down the significance of
Kerr’s return.
“Their attacking players already work well together. It is a
good problem for them to have. But I wouldn’t swap any of my attackers for
theirs.
“Even if she is on the field it will not change the way
Australia play.”
While Australia are bidding to get to the last four for the
first time, a win for France will see them match their best performance at a
Women’s World Cup, which remains their run to the semi-finals in Germany in
2011.
They also lost in the semi-finals at last year’s Euros.
“We have been one of the best teams in the world for a long
time, but we have still not won anything, not a single medal,” said Eugenie Le
Sommer, France’s all-time record scorer with 92 goals.
“We want to take something back to our country, do great
things.
“Our situation is not the same as Australia. We have already
been in the last four, but this is definitely one of the most important matches
in our history.”
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