The Commbank Matildas faced a tough 2-1 defeat against the United States in the SheBelieves Cup, but there were several positives to note, particularly through the lens of the Ninja A-League.
Veteran striker and Canberra United icon Michelle Heyman made a late appearance from the bench, scoring in the second half to give the Matildas a flicker of hope. However, it wasn’t enough to stop Australia from enduring a second consecutive loss in the esteemed four-nation tournament held in Arizona on Monday (AEDT).
On a significant night where Melbourne City standout Holly McNamara marked her first start for the Matildas in over three years, interim coach Tom Sermanni also gave national team debuts to two Ninja A-League talents: Melbourne Victory’s young star Alana Murphy and Brisbane Roar sensation Laini Freier, who became Matildas 235 and 236 respectively when they entered the fray in the second half.
Although her twin sister and Roar teammate Sharn Freier is out for the season due to injury, Laini’s debut makes the Freiers the first set of twins and the second pair of sisters to don the senior Matildas jersey.
Additionally, Newcastle Jets defender Natasha Prior earned another cap as a substitute against the Olympic champions.
Following this result, the Matildas sit at the bottom of their group with two losses, sharing this position with Colombia, whom they will face on Thursday morning in their final group match of the tournament.
After being humbled 4-0 by Japan in their previous outing, Sermanni’s Matildas had a rough start and found themselves trailing just 41 seconds into the match at State Farm Stadium, Arizona.
While passing out from the back under little pressure from the Matildas, the USA quickly capitalised, with Lynn Biyendolo finishing off a well-executed team move to put them ahead.
The USA continued to press forward, creating numerous chances and appearing to score a second goal only for it to be ruled offside.
Despite being mostly on the defensive, the Matildas managed to settle down and, although they didn’t register a shot on target in the first half, they found a way to establish some control in the game.
Beginning the second half with renewed aggression, McNamara nearly levelled the score in the 50th minute by closing down US keeper Mandy McGlynn inside the box, though the home defence eventually regained control of the situation.
Byendolo had a chance to double the Americans’ lead in the 57th minute, but she fired her shot into the side-netting after capitalising on a misplaced back pass from Winonah Heatley.
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It didn’t take long for the home crowd to celebrate again, as Michelle Cooper scored the USA’s second in the 68th minute. Claire Hutton made a brilliant defence-splitting pass to Ally Sentnor, whose attempt to finish went astray, but Cooper was on hand to slot the ball home past Teagan Micah.
Finally, the Matildas found the net for the first time in the SheBelieves Cup in the 80th minute, courtesy of a familiar face from the Ninja A-League. Speeding down the right flank, Hayley Raso delivered a precise cross that found Heyman, who powered a header past the keeper from close range.
In response to the goal, interim coach Sermanni looked to inject more Ninja A-League energy into the game by introducing Freier off the bench in search of a late spark. However, it was the USA who came closest to scoring again.
Goalkeeper Micah showcased her brilliance, producing two incredible saves in a matter of 60 seconds to keep the scoreline at 2-1; first, tipping a close-range strike around the post, then demonstrating lightning reactions to thwart the Americans from point-blank range at the ensuing corner.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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