By Alasdair Pal
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday backed calls for a public holiday if its team win the Women’s World Cup.
The Matildas are through to the semi-finals of the tournament, which Australia is co-hosting with New Zealand, after a gripping penalty shootout win against France on Saturday, with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold saving three spot-kicks after missing her own.
They play European champions England in Sydney on Wednesday in a match likely to smash Australian TV viewing figures for a soccer game.
“I’ve said that the state and territory leaders should consider it and I know that it’s received a pretty warm reception in most quarters,” Albanese said in a radio interview with state broadcaster ABC when asked if calls for a public holiday were justified.
“This is something much more than just a sporting event. This is an…