Six yellow cards and two stretchers: Matildas lose 1-0 after Panama’s second half strike

Veteran striker Michelle Heyman has fluffed a last-gasp chance to score the equaliser as the Matildas suffered a shock 1-0 loss to world No.56 Panama in Bunbury.

Panama stunned the home crowd when they took a 56th-minute lead through 19-year-old substitute Sherline King in Saturday’s wet and windy clash in Western Australia.

Australia’s Jamila Rankin is challenged by Erika Arauz of Panama.Credit: Getty Images

Australia pushed hard for an equaliser, and it looked set to arrive in the 96th minute when a goalkeeper’s save fell at the feet of Heyman.

But her reflex left-foot strike from point-blank range sent the ball over the crossbar, with Panama’s players celebrating wildly upon hearing the full-time whistle just moments later.

It marked the Matildas’ first loss under new coach Joe Montemurro, who had led the side to a 3-0 win and 1-1 draw against Slovenia in his previous two matches in charge.

Although the loss to Panama came as a surprise and also marked a big wake-up call, the Matildas fielded a side missing a host of their biggest stars.

Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler were all absent from the current international window.

Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Sharn Freeier exited the squad following the Slovenia series, while Amy Sayer and Charli Grant were rested.

Montemurro made a whopping 10 changes to his starting side against the Central Americans, with Kaitlyn Torpey the only player in the starting XI who also started in last week’s draw with Slovenia.

Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey is stretchered off the field after landing awkwardly on her knee.Credit: Getty Images

Panama’s day started on a horrible note, with goalkeeper Yenith Bailey lasting less than a minute before hyperextending her left knee while attempting a save.

The Matildas controlled possession and territory in the first half, but there were still danger signs. Defender Natasha Prior had to time her sliding block to perfection to deny Panama striker Riley Tanner a close-range shot on goal.

Tanner was at it again in the 41st minute, with her powerful strike from a difficult angle slamming into the post. In between Tanner’s threats, the Matildas wasted several good chances.

Their best first-half opportunity fell at the feet of Emily Gielnik, who had the goal at her mercy but got her timing all wrong as she attempted to connect with Holly McNamara’s dangerous cross.

King gave Panama the lead when she latched on to Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah’s save to power home a volley.

The Matildas pushed hard for an equaliser, with Montemurro unleashing a number of debutants off the bench, but in the end it was Heyman’s missed chance that proved to be the one that got away.

The Matildas enjoyed 66 per cent possession but only unleashed four shots on target for the match.

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The full-time statistics show just how many opportunities the Matildas missed in the second half. In passes alone, the Matildas made more than double the amount that Panama did across the 90 minutes, completing 413 to Panama’s 209.

Michelle Heyman had the ball squarely in front of the goal, with Panama’s goalkeeper off her mark and fails to take the last chance of the game for the Matildas.

Instead, Panama seals the game with a goal from a 19-year-old forced substitution after a second of their players was stretchered off. The Panamanians drop to their knees when the full-time whistle blows.

Australia 0-1, full-time.

Castillo and King hug after her goal.Credit: Getty Images

An official has indicated there will be six additional minutes in the second half of this match, reflective of an aggressive game that has seen quite a few injuries.

Van Egmond delivers the ball to Prior, who heads it, but Galabadaarachchi can’t manipulate the fall of the ball in the right direction.

Taranto receives a yellow card in her first match for the Matildas for grabbing Cedeno’s shirt.

Australia 0-1 Panama, 90+4 minutes

Adriana Taranto makes her Matildas debut.Credit: Getty Images

While Panama leads on yellow cards, Australia are maxing out their player debuts. More substitutions see Torpey and McNamara replaced by Alexia Apostolakis and Grace Kuilamu, who will hope their first Matildas games don’t end in a loss.

Cox is substituted by Carmen Montenegro.

Australia 0-1 Panama, 86 minutes

Taranto takes a shot on her debut but it’s blocked by a diving Cordoba.

Holly McNamara strides up the right side. A well-timed sliding tackle from King takes away the opportunity and gives Panama a goal kick. Australia’s fresh legs are building momentum.

On the opposite end, Lincoln gets lucky in front of the Australian goal as a quick touch takes it out of the path of Panama’s striker. Marta Cox is awarded a free kick and delivers it straight into Lincoln’s gloves.

The Bunbury crowd gets louder as they edge on the Matildas.

Australia 0-1 Panama, 85 minutes

Panama are collecting yellow cards as the referees lose their patience with the side. This time, it’s Jaen who pulls Torpey’s shirt.

Panama are swapping four players out as Emily Van Egmond and Galabadaarachchi replace Gielnick and Chidiac. Galabadaarachchi is the third player to make her debut for the Matildas this evening.

For Panama, Natis is swapped for Rebeca Espinosa, Jaen is replaced by Arlen Hernandez, Arauz comes off for Lineth Cedeno. Finally, Quintero makes way for Katherin Parris.

Australia 0-1 Panama, 78 minutes

Nevin joins the list of players dropping across the pitch with injuries. She’s back up too and play continues. Another card is pulled out and given to Gonzalez for a foul on Gielnick.

We get a shot of Salazar being pushed to the Panama bench in a wheelchair with her foot in a moon boot. It was her substitution, Sherline King, who scored for the side.

Australia 0-1 Panama, 70 minutes

Marta Cox is down for an injury but only briefly. Credit: Getty Images

Micah takes the opportunity to leave the pitch after heavy contact moments ago. She’s replaced by Chloe Lincoln, who makes just her second appearance for the Matildas.

Australia make two more substitutions, replacing Raso and Berryhill with Heyman and Adriana Taranto makes her national team debut.

Australia 0-1 Panama, 63 minutes

Marta Cox strikes the ball at the Matildas’ goal and it’s blocked by Micah. Australia’s luck is short-lived as the rookie King takes advantage of the rebound, sending the ball to the back of the net.

Australia seek retribution immediately. Raso slips the ball through a swarm of blue shirts, and Chidiac manages to make an attempt on goal but it’s blocked by a sliding Hilary Jaen who gets there at just the right time.

Australia 0-1 Panama, 58 minutes

Panama celebrate Shirline King’s goal.Credit: Getty Images