Matildas’ poor form continues with loss to Colombia, knocked out of She Believes Cup

The Matildas’ poor form has continued with the team knocked out of the She Believes Cup after a loss to Colombia on Thursday.

The Matildas’ poor form ahead of next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup continued on Thursday with a 2-1 loss to Colombia in San Diego.

Desperate to avoid a third successive defeat at the She Believes Cup following losses to Japan (4-0) and USA (2-1), the Australians again fell short, with their disturbing habit of conceding early goals during the tournament continuing when Colombia took the lead in the 15th minute.

Taking advantage of a mistake by Australian midfielder Katrina Gorry, who gave up possession cheaply, the South Americans went ahead with a sizzling strike from attacker Wendy Bonilla that scorched the fingertips of goalkeeper Teagan Micah on its way to the back of the net.

If not for some earlier heroics from Micah – who denied Leicy Santos with a fine save in the sixth minute – Bonilla’s goal could easily have been Colombia’s second of the contest.

The Australians should have equalised in the 21st minute after Emily van Egmond was gifted possession by Catalina Usme.

Van Egmond fed unmarked teammate Michelle Heyman, who seemed certain to score.

However, Heyman’s hesitancy allowed Colombia goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo to halt the progress of the veteran striker.

Heyman didn’t return for the second half, with the Matildas equalising in the 69th minute through a shot from Hayley Raso, but only after a deflection off Daniela Caracas left Giraldo stranded.

However, another deflection four minutes later helped Colombia regain the lead.

This time the unlucky player was Matildas substitute Natasha Prior, whose attempt to block a shot from Usme resulted in the ball looping over Micah and into the net.

The Matildas fought valiantly to find another equaliser but despite more than 10 minutes of stoppage-time, couldn’t find the back of the net again as they finished the four-team tournament in last place with no points.

Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni made five changes to the team that started in the 2-1 loss to the United States.

Coming into the starting team were attacking pair Michelle Heyman and Tameka Yallop, midfield duo Katrina Gorry and Emily van Egmond, and defender Clare Hunt.

They replaced Holly McNamara, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Winonah Heatley and Alanna Kennedy.

“We said before the tournament that we were going to shuffle the squad around a little bit for a variety of reasons,” Sermanni told Paramount Plus.

“One of them in particular was the players that are playing multiple minutes in leagues at the moment.

“We need to be very careful with them and make sure that they go back healthy, so it’s important for us to give those players some rest and make sure we keep them fit.”

Originally published as Matildas’ poor form continues with loss to Colombia, knocked out of She Believes Cup