MATILDAS SUFFER NARROW LOSS TO WORLD No.1 USA
A 2-1 loss to Olympic champions USA was the only shadow cast over a much-improved performance by the Matildas in their second match of the SheBelieves Cup in Arizona yesterday (AEDT).
After conceding a goal to the world’s top-ranked team just 41 seconds into the contest, Australia’s display from that point was a marked improvement from what was dished up in a 4-0 loss to Japan on Friday.
Emily Fox of the United States wins a header against Australia’s Emily van Egmond during the second half of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. Credit: Getty Images
Stand-in coach Tom Sermanni applauded the performance, a stark contrast to his describing their effort three days earlier as “un-Australian”.
“I think our effort and our attitude were so much better in this game and especially … given the performance of the last game and the result and then losing a goal after probably less than a minute,” Sermanni said.
“I think we could have easily just caved in today, so from a perspective of the team digging in and sticking in there, I was really pleased with that part of our performance and that effort.”
After Lynn Biyendolo stunned the visitors inside the opening minute, Michelle Cooper doubled the lead with 22 minutes remaining before veteran striker Michelle Heyman kept Australia in the fight with a goal in the 80th minute from a Hayley Raso cross.
Speaking after the match, Heyman said it was her “job” to deliver for Australia.
“The main thing is just get in the box and hopefully, the ball will hit me in the head. So, very grateful for Hayley with that delivery, I didn’t really have to do that much,” Heyman said.
“It was very disappointing our 4-0 loss against Japan, so we just did not want to do that again. The US is the best in the world 2-1 isn’t as bad as what everyone thinks in our opinion, but definitely, we gave it our all and just couldn’t come away with it.”
One bright point for Australia was the performance of goalkeeper Teagan Micah.
While Mackenzie Arnold was the first choice at the back during Tony Gustavsson’s time in charge, Micah turned in a polished display in Arizona.
With Micah playing regularly with Liverpool in the Women’s Super League, Sermanni says the shot-stopper is making a compelling case to become the Matildas’ first-choice keeper.
“It’s been close [between Arnold and Micah] for some time [and] there’s been times when Teagan has actually been the number one,” Sermanni said.
“The situation at the moment is Teagan has been playing week in and week out in the WSL and performing really well.
“Mackenzie hasn’t played and is barely back in pre-season training (with American club side Portland).
“Particularly for a goalkeeper - it’s not like an outfield player where you can run around - they need to get matches under the belt before they come in at this level.”
with AAP
