Miserable Cup opener for Matildas as they suffer 4-0 defeat by Japan

MATILDAS DEFENCE CRUMBLES IN 4-0 LOSS TO JAPAN

Australia went down to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup opener.Credit: AP

The Matildas’ hopes of home Asian Cup glory have been handed a stern reality check after a disastrous defensive showing dealt Australia a thumping 4-0 defeat to Japan.

Friday’s SheBelieves Cup opener in Houston, against Asia’s top team, was meant to be an ideal litmus test for Australia just over a year out from the tournament. Instead, alarm bells are ringing for the Matildas after suffering their heaviest defeat to Japan.

Australia are yet to appoint a permanent head coach, but interim coach Tom Sermanni fielded a full-strength team, bar Sam Kerr, with high hopes on Friday. But in a horror first half against the world No.8, it quickly became clear just how much work the Matildas have to do.

“It was one of those games where we were outplayed basically from the start straight through to the finish of the game in basically every department,” Sermanni said after the match.

“We were outplayed football wise we were outplayed physically, we were outplayed I think mentally, outplayed on our decision-making, there wasn’t a lot of positive things to take away from today’s performance.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to give credit to the opposition, Japan were outstanding today and I think played very, very well.”

Mina Tanaka celebrates with teammates after scoring for Japan.Credit: Getty Images

Defensive mix-ups allowed Mina Tanaka to score in the fifth and 32nd minutes and leave Australia shell shocked.

Tanaka turned provider for Maika Hamano in the 52nd minute, before Moeka Minami headed home in the 75th to seal a dominant victory.

Australia registered one shot to Japan’s 18, including eight on target, as they were overwhelmed by an ominous Nadeshiko.

The Matildas struggled to get in-form Manchester City gun Mary Fowler involved and struggled to keep a foot on the ball, but most concerning was a lack of connection in an experienced defence - Steph Catley, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Ellie Carpenter and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

“Probably the most disappointing thing was...I just felt some of the goals that we gave up were very poor, and that’s kind of un-Australian,” Sermanni said.

“We want to be a team that’s hard to beat and to be honest today we really gave up some soft goals but overall, more than a fair result.”

Australia face the United States in Glendale on Monday (AEDT) before meeting Colombia in San Diego on Thursday.

AAP and Frances Howe

The full-time whistle blows in Houston on an icy game for the Matildas who lose 4-0.

Australia couldn’t hold on to the ball long enough to make a single shot on target in either half leaving little hope for an Australian win if the two sides match up again in the 2026 Asian Cup on home soil.

Moeka Minami heads a goal in for Japan.Credit: Getty Images

Speaking after the match, Matildas vice-captain Ellie Carpenter said her team weren’t on the same page.

“Japan are a great team, they rotate so much, their movement is incredible, technically they’re amazing so they find those pockets between the lines very easily. For us, we just need to be more compact and we needed to all get on the same page quicker, which we didn’t do,” she said.

The Japanese took advantage of several defensive mistakes from the Matildas including a miscommunication between Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy who ran into each other and left Mina Tanaka to score her second of two goals.

Tanaka then assisted Japan’s third goal scored by Maika Hamano and Moeka Minami added to the hurt with an uncontested header.

Australia 0-4 Japan

The Matildas are looking for any opportunity to take something back from Japan in the last minutes of this game.

There will be two minutes of additional time.

Australia 0-4 Japan, 90 minutes

Double goalscorer, Mina Tanaka misses out on a chance to score a hat trick for Japan when she is substituted for Miyabi Moriya.

Cooney-Cross is replaced with central defender Natasha Prior to make her fourth international appearance.

Australia narrowly concede a fifth goal and Charli Grant hits the crossbar in a last-ditch attempt to soften the blow of this defeat to Japan.

Australia 0-4 Japan, 85 minutes

The Matildas still have not had a single shot on goal in this match and have maintained just 40 per cent possession over the ball.

It’s a very crowded box for Japan as Australia try to prevent a fifth goal.

Australia 0-4 Japan, 80 minutes

A silly mistake from Clare Hunt leads to a corner for Japan. Emily Van Egmond replaces Katrina Gorry before the corner kick is taken but it doesn’t stop Japan from taking advantage of Hunt’s mistake.

Moeka Minami rises higher than Mackenzie Arnold to head the ball into the goal.

Australia 0-4 Japan, 74 minutes

Maika Hamano and teammates celebrate.Credit: Getty Images

Holly McNamara and Daniela Galic pair up in a hopeful change to Australia’s attacking front despite sharing eight international caps between them.

Goalscorer Maika Hamano makes way for Manaka Matsukubo who makes her international debut for Japan.

Australia 0-3 Japan, 70 minutes

Tom Sermanni is throwing everything to the wall and making four substitutions in the 63rd minute.

Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy and Clare Hunt come off for Holly McNamara, Daniela Galic, Charli Grant and Winonah Heatley.

Australia 0-3 Japan, 63 minutes

Riko Ueki and Hinata Miyazawa come on for Japan and Miyazawa makes an immediate impact forcing Mackenzie Arnold into a save. Ellie Carpenter clears it.

Australia 0-3 Japan, 60 minutes