Australia's World Cup legacy on the line against Canada, says coach

MELBOURNE : Australia's hopes of a legacy-defining Women's World Cup will be at stake when they play Canada in Monday's Group B crunch match and the co-hosts' campaign will be a failure if they are eliminated before the knockout phase, coach Tony Gustavsson said.

The Matildas are a point behind Nigeria and Canada in Group B and need all three points from their final opening-round fixture against the North Americans to be guaranteed a spot in the knockout rounds.

Gustavsson was under no illusions about the gravity of the match for a team who have often spoken about inspiring generations of girls and women.

"That's how this business works. I think it's a massive game in that sense, and we can't shy away from that," the Swede told reporters on Sunday.

"We've spoken a couple of times before about legacy and the 'why' of this team.

"Long-term legacy, it's a different type of question, but if you talk sports and results, this game is massive."

Considered among the top contenders before the tournament, former quarter-finalists Australia were expected to sail into the knockout rounds but their shock 3-2 defeat to Nigeria in Brisbane has put them under pressure.

"I definitely think it's fair to say it's a failure if we don't (progress from) the group," said Gustavsson.

"Everyone here understands that, of course. Of course you don't want to go out of the group at a home World Cup.

"I'll take ownership for that. But that's not our mindset right now. Our mindset is just about playing the game in front of us."

Australia's hopes of advancing would be boosted by the availability of captain and striker Sam Kerr after she missed the opening win over Ireland and the Nigeria loss with a calf injury.

Kerr said on Saturday she would "definitely" play