Matildas fall to lowly ranked opponent Panama in friendly

The Joe Montemurro era for the Matildas has suffered its first taste of defeat after the 56th ranked Panama pulled off a major upset.

The Matildas have suffered their first defeat under the tenure of new coach Joe Montemurro, losing 1-0 to Panama in Bunbury on Saturday.

Despite being 41 places lower than the Australians in the world rankings, Panama was anything but intimidated by an experimental Matildas outfit, whose starting team only included one player - Kaitlyn Torpey – that played from the opening whistle in her side’s 1-1 draw with Slovenia last Sunday.

Panama substitute Sherline King scored the game’s only goal in the 59th minute, pouncing on a loose ball in Australia’s penalty area after Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah parried a shot from attacking midfielder Marta Cox.

It was to be Micah’s final contribution in what was a physical encounter after she had gone down minutes earlier under a sturdy challenge from striker Ana Quintero.

Panama players celebrates the win during the International Friendly match against Australia Matildas at Hands Oval in Bunbury. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Micah, who was replaced by recent Brisbane Roar signing Chloe Lincoln, wasn’t the only keeper to be forced off during the game, after Panama suffered a setback in the first minute of the match when custodian Yenith Bailey went down clutching at her left knee.

A distraught Bailey was eventually stretchered off the field and replaced by Farissa Cordoba.

However, despite their early adversity, the visitors recovered, with attacker Riley Tanner coming closest to scoring in the first-half with a powerful strike that smashed into the post in the 41st minute.

Tanner, who was born in the United States but is eligible to play for Panama through her mother’s heritage, also had an opportunity earlier in the half, but her shot was well blocked by Matildas defender Natasha Prior.

Kaitlyn Torpey and the Matildas didn’t have it their way against Panama on Saturday. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Panama continued to attack after half-time, and was rewarded with King’s goal.

Matildas substitute Michelle Heyman should have equalised in stoppage-time, but inexplicably failed to hit the target from point-blank range.

Despite the loss in his third game in charge of the Matildas, Montemurro was able to give four players - Adriana Taranto, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, Alexia Apostolakis and Grace Kuilamu – their national team debuts.

Matildas midfielder Chloe Berryhill said her team was “ironing out some kinks” under Montemurro.

“It’s not the result that we want but it’s building blocks for us,” Berryhill told Paramount Plus.

“We’re just blooding players at the moment.”

Originally published as Matildas fall to lowly ranked opponent Panama in friendly