CommBank Matildas face 3-0 defeat in front of record-breaking home crowd
It was bitter-sweet defeat for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas who went down 3-0 to the USWNT in front of a record-breaking crowd at Stadium Australia.
36,109 fans braved the rainy weather to watch Australia take on the World No.1 on home soil and although the result wasn’t ideal for Aussie fans, the news that they had broken a two-decade-old record, sent waves of excited cheers throughout the stadium.
Donning black armbands in recognition of Sam Kerr’s cousin who sadly passed away earlier in the week, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas were led by its newest centurion, Tameka Yallop, while Jessika Nash, cap no. 218, made her national team debut in the starting XI.
With Clare Polkinghorne and Alanna Kennedy being rested, Nash and Courtney Nevin made up a youthful defence alongside veteran Steph Catley, with both teenagers getting a taste of US competition very early on.
Almost immediately, the tone was set, with the young defenders being caught off-guard when an unmarked Ashley Hatch scored her maiden goal, less than 25 seconds into the match.
Rose Lavelle kept the pressure on with a shot that went uncharacteristically wide of goal in the fifth minute and then again in the ninth minute.
Australia’s first chance came through Sam Kerr in the seventh minute, but her shot skimmed just past the bottom corner of goal.
Kyah Simon made several attempts at goal, then in the 38th minute was gifted a pinpoint delivery from Caitlin Foord in front of goal, which Simon sent flying over the net.
Simon was left with her head in her hands in frustration, at missing a golden opportunity inside the six-yard box.
A promising patch saw chances by Kerr, Fowler and Foord keeping the Commonwealth Bank Matildas looking close to drawing even, but it would be USWNT’s Rose Lavelle who would score in the 49th minute extending the visitor’s lead to 2-1.
Some dangerous-looking runs from Ellie Carpenter and shots from Foord and Kerr were unable to be converted, with Lindsay Horan scoring the final goal of the game in the 66th minute after a penalty was given due to a Carpenter challenge.
Late in the match, Hayley Raso continued to surge forward but the Commonwealth Bank Matildas were unable to take advantage of some late openings. After the match head coach Tony Gustavsson spoke with media and was questioned about his reasoning for leaving the Commonwealth Bank Matildas’ defence in the hands of youngsters.
“Normally all the teams that have been successful when it comes to defending have had consistent line-ups when it comes to cohesion,” Gustavsson said.
“I think we have to look at every aspect and the other aspect we have to look at is tactics.
“We need depth in the backline and we need to look at players and be brave enough to actually get them into these type of games."
The Commonwealth Bank Matildas now look to Tuesday’s re-match in Newcastle for some much-needed redemption.
Commonwealth Bank Matildas v U.S. Women’s National Team
Tuesday, 30 November 2021
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-Off: 8.05pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and free on Network 10 and simulcast on 10 Play
Ticketing: www.ticketmaster.com.au