Tournament of Nations: Late equaliser kills Matildas’ hopes

Australia’s hopes of a second-straight win over the United States were shattered by a 90th minute goal in a 1-1 draw yesterday.

Australia’s goalkeeper Lydia Williams is unable to stop the late of shot of USA’s Lindsey Horan. Picture: Getty Images.

Australia’s hopes of a second straight win over the United States were shattered by a 90th minute goal in a 1-1 draw at the Tournament of Nations yesterday.

The Matildas led through Chloe Logarzo’s opener in the 22nd minute and looked on course for a huge statement victory over the Americans, who are ranked number one.

But Lindsey Horan rose to nod home a Megan Rapinoe corner at the end of regulation time to save the home side’s blushes, extending their unbeaten streak to 18 matches.

The match in Connecticut yesterday was just the third time the US have been held to a draw during that period.

Australian coach Alen Stajcic believed the Matildas were hard done by, with replays suggesting a US player touched the ball before it went out for the corner kick that led to the equaliser.

“I thought it was a goal kick,” Stajcic said.

“They’re little moments that can sometimes affect the outcome of the game but it’s hard to argue the USA didn’t deserve a draw.

“The way it happened was a little bit unfortunate for us.

“We’re all certainly proud of the effort. It was probably one of the best defensive performances.”

The Americans haven’t tasted defeat since the last time they met the Matildas in the same tournament a year ago.

It remains Australia’s only victory over the US in women’s soccer. But should they meet again at next year’s Women’s World Cup in France, the Matildas, who sit No 8 in the world rankings, will be bullish about their chances after frustrating the star-studded American attack for nearly the whole match.

Logarzo’s goal stirred up clear anxiety in the US team, who were out for revenge and had done most of the attacking to that point.

Lisa De Vanna, the oldest player in the Australian squad at 33, was the architect.

Brought in for Kyah Simon in the only change Stajcic made to the starting team that defeated Brazil last week, De Vanna collected the ball near the edge of the Matildas’ defensive penalty area after a US corner was cleared.

She switched on the afterburners, leaving two chasing Americans in her wake on a blistering 60m run, surged into the final third before slipping a perfect through-ball for Logarzo, who provided a calm and clinical finish. The US continued to dominate possession and territory for the remainder of the match and the Matildas ultimately couldn’t keep them out.

Australia round out their Tournament of Nations campaign on Friday morning (AEST) in Bridgeview, Illinois against Japan, who defeated them 1-0 in the Women’s Asian Cup final in April.

AAP