Five things we learned from the Matildas’ loss to Brazil in the second friendly
Mackenzie Arnold has owned the keeper’s gloves for years, but a challenger may be breathing down her neck. Erin Smith unpacks five things we learned from the Matilda’s loss to Brazil.
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It was another physical clash in front of a boisterous Gold Coast crowd but the Matildas just couldn’t find a way to deliver the final punch and get their revenge on Brazil.
The visitors, who won 2-1, started the match strong and while the Matildas had some very promising patches of play they struggled to make the most of their chances.
Gold Coaster Hayley Raso who pulled off a great goal in the first half and keeper Teagan Micah played a huge role in keeping the Matildas in touch with the relentless Brazilian side.
The referee had much greater control of the game – not afraid to pull out the yellow cards and punish rough conduct, but there was still plenty of physicality between the two sides.
Here are five things we learned:
TEAGAN MICAH
With a new coach yet to be appointed there is no such thing as a guaranteed spot in the Matildas squad – and Teagan Micah has made sure to prove that she is ready and waiting for that No. 1 jersey.
Micah, given her first start for the national team in close to 12 months, kept the Matildas in the hunt against Brazil.
She made several impressive and crucial saves in the opening half – a darting dive to swat the ball around the post the most memorable.
Mackenzie Arnold made the jersey hers during Australia’s epic World Cup run, but now she has a genuine challenge on her hands again.
Micah was the first choice keeper at the Tokyo Olympics but was ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining a serious concussion that left her on the sidelines for six months late in 2022.
Interim coach Tom Sermanni gave the 27-year-old Liverpool keeper a start against Brazil.
Micah has had a run of injuries this season but has been back playing in club land regularly for several weeks.
COUNTDOWN ON FOR KERR’S RETURN
There is no denying that Michelle Heyman has done a worthy job in Sam Kerr’s absence but the Matildas certainly miss her prowess in front of goal. Kerr, out recovering from an ACL, is known for ability to net even the most impossible of shots. The Matildas have really struggled to replicate that over the past 12 months. In the first half of the game with Brazil they had eight shots, five on target – but only managed to convert one.
Kerr is expected to be back in time for the SheBelieve Cup in America in February.
With her back, even as an off the bench player, the Matildas will prove lethal.
THE POWER OF FOUR
It wasn’t perfect and a late change to the line up threw a slight spanner in the works but having four defenders, not three, certainly suits the Matildas better.
Regular left back Steph Catley was a late change after having tightness in her leg during the warm up. Courtney Nevin was called into the fray. There were some early teething issues but the Matildas defensive efforts were much improved on their last encounter with Brazil.
The corner tally in the first half was evidence of this – they managed to force eight in the first half.
While some of the balls into the danger zone should have been dealt with earlier instead of crumbling to the Brazilian attackers they were able to regather and fend them off.
POSITIVE SIGNS FOR ASIAN CUP
Every available ticket for the Matildas first game at Cbus Stadium was sold but wild weather that closed train lines and caused flash flooding across Brisbane and the Gold Coast forced affected how many could attend the match.
But the 25,297 strong crowd made it sound like a full house – a very promising sign ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup.
That is bigger than the 24,644 fans who turned out to cheer on the Socceroos as they took on Bahrain in a World Cup qualifier in September.
The Gold Coast is a host city for the Asian Cup tournament, with games to be played at Cbus stadium.
If this many Matildas fans are happy to show up for a friendly on a Sunday night after a weather event tickets are sure to be hard to come by when the Asian Cup comes to town.
COACH MYSTERY
Football Australia risks wasting the Matildas’ next international window if they don’t appoint a permanent coach in the new year.
Matildas will next play in the USA hosted She Believes Cup in February – a key tournament in the lead up to the 2026 Asian Cup.
The Matildas have been without a permanent coach since Tony Gustavsson’s contract wasn’t renewed after the disastrous Olympic campaign in September.
Tom Sermanni was brought back as an interim coach and didn’t waste any time making formation changes and blooding new players.
But it has a strange feeling with the players unsure who they are looking to impress or if the formation changes will remain.
Sermanni is adamant he doesn’t want the top job permanently – no matter how much the players appreciate him.
If Football Australia can’t land a new coach by the next window the Matildas are going to struggle come the Asian Cup.
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