​My Barista Is Former Matilda's Great Sally Shipard, And She Knows A Lot About Tomorrow's Quarterfinal Against Brazil

As the Matildas prepare for one of the biggest games in Australian footballing history, against host nation Brazil in the Rio Olympic quarterfinals this Saturday (AESTD 11 am kick off), I sat down with Australian women's footballing legend, Sally Shipard to discuss their chances. Sally mans the counter of the cafe downstairs from me in Redfern and turns the odd bean. She made her debut for the Matildas as a 16 year old just prior to the Athens Olympics in 2004, where she played every minute until Australia's quarterfinal loss to Sweden. Her second cap for the country was against none other than Brazil in the opening game of the 2004 olympics and she continues to play confidante to many of the women in the current Matildas squad.

VICE Sports: Playing Brazil at home in the olympics, how big of an occasion is this for the Matildas?

Sally Shipard: Huge. Like massive. It couldn't be any larger. The Brazilians as a nation to play against are one of the most entertaining football teams to watch male or female. I remember being out there on the pitch at that game at Athens and it was just dazzling to see their control on the ball and how beautiful and fluid their movements are. I'm looking forward to watching a good game of football because when the Matildas play teams that play football we play football, because we are capable and we have the players.

Who are the danger players for Brazil?

Have you seen all the kids crossing out the names of Neymar and putting (Fifa World Player Of The Year) Marta? So they're like fuck Neymar we're all about Marta now! So that's what's happening now with the affect of women's football.

Christiane (Rozeira) would be another one and they have a plethora of colourful players that you will see just meandering around the middle of the park and they'll be incredibly nippy and incredibly quick up front.

What have you made of their form?

The Brazilians have probably under-performed and they're still in the quarters and looking like a very dominant team. What's to come in terms of (the Matildas) being out there, they're going to be against 12 men, or 12 females actually, with the crowd support. But I think the atmosphere that will be created being the home team with that level of support, it's going to be amazing to watch.

Who will win it for Australia?

Lisa De Vanna will really be up fort it. She has Portugese heritage so she communicates with many of the Brazilians which is fabulous, it's pretty cool to see. She's created a lovely friendship over the years with a lot of the Brazilians so she'll be out there really wanting to prove herself. I think Caitlyn Ford. The time when she first played Brazil was in the previous world cup when she was voted best young player at that world cup at 16. She's now five years on at 21 and still has so much to prove. The average age in the team is 23 but we've got the most experienced squad we've ever had.

What have you made of the Matildas form so far?

Pretty poor against Canada but there were a lot of nerves and a lot of Olympic debuts going on. Playing against Germany we were leading up until the final whistle. We could have finished second in our group and played a team not as dominant as Brazil or the USA in the quarters but it's nice to see the girls hitting their straps. We've got the most attractive, young and exciting forward line in the entire games.

Have you been in contact with any of the girls? What's the feeling?

I've been riding that emotion with them in terms of being a friend. There's a lot of ups and downs within a tournament. They're messaging me telling me half the time there is nothing for us to do Sal! We play and we train! They're not at the village so it's such a job for them at the moment.

Two more questions. One, how sick is my panel van?

My god, so good! Hahaha. I love the toilet papers squished against the window that I some times see from the counter. I'm like he uses that a lot I'm sure. I love it.

Wow I forgot they were there. I gotta get rid of them.

(laughter) I'm all about living in cars, I have a van.

What sort of state is women's football in this country in at the moment?

I think the success of the Matildas certainly bolsters the success of football. Participation rates are at an all time. I'm focused on the retention of kids at 13 or 14, and if they can be exposed to a potential career, the more exposure the Matildas get, the more they recognise they too could go on and do something.