SILENCING AUSSIE CROWD IS THE KEI

As World Cup fever grips Australia, Walsh insists the Lionesses must crush the hype

- NEIL MOXLEY 

KEIRA WALSH says silencing Sydney will be the key to England reaching the World Cup final.

The Barcelona midfielder believes the Lionesses benefited hugely from home help as they claimed European Championship glory 13 months ago.

And co-hosts Australia are swimming in a sea of expectation.

Headlines such as 'Now for the Poms', 'Matilda Mania' and 'You thought the Ashes were Big' give a flavour of the frenzy that is sweeping the country.

The game is a 75,000 sell-out and, just like in England last July when the Lionesses headed to Euros glory, there is a huge groundswell of domestic support for 'The Tillies'.

Talking about the value of home advantage, Walsh said: "It was massive for us at the Euros, especially in the final.