Matildas v US: Ante Milicic loses first game in charge

Sam Kerr scored a stunning goal as Australia went down to the world’s best team | VIDEO

Sam Kerr heads for goal against the US. Picture: AFP

The Matildas have suffered a 5-3 loss to the United States in Denver, Colorado, handing new coach Ante Milicic his first defeat in charge of the national team.

Australia were made to pay for a number of defensive lapses as the number one ranked team in the world ruthlessly exposed them down their left side.

The Australians were well in the game at half time, on level terms at 1-1 after Lisa De Vanna had cancelled out a 14th minute goal from Alex Morgan, here 100th for her country.

Australia then took a shock 2-1 lead two minutes after the break when Caitlin Foord produced a superb piece of individual brilliance in beating two defenders before slotting the ball home.

However, the Americans stunned the visitors with three goals in the space of 13 minutes to make it 4-3 on 60 minutes.

Captain Sam Kerr gave her side a lifeline eight minutes from full-time when a superb header to make it 4-3 but the Australians were again caught out in defence in injury time.

The American goalkeeper played a long ball down the field, the ball bounced over a defender allowing Mallory Pugh to pounce with a sublime chip over goalkeeper Lydia Williams to make it 5-3.

The result, the first time Australia has conceded five goals in a match for a number of years, gives Milicic plenty to think about ahead of the World Cup finals in France in June.

In truth, the Australians were second best most of the night to the slick US side who could have had a few more goals had it not been for Williams, who was simply outstanding in goals.