MATILDAS v CHILE

Matildas must lift all over

Today, Newcastle, 7.30pm

MATILDAS coach Alen Stajcic will demand improvement at both ends of the field, as he seeks swift vengeance on Chile after Saturday’s shock loss.

The teams meet tonight at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium, three days after Chile’s 3-2 win in Sydney.

While there has been comment on sloppy defending that had contributed to all three goals, Stajcic has stressed Australia, which is winless in its past three games, also needs to sharpen its attack.

The Matildas’ goals came from the penalty spot and they were unable to capitalise in open play, despite bossing large parts of the game.

“Chile had four chances and executed three and that’s why they deserved to win the game, so we have to be better in both ends,” Stajcic said yesterday.

“We did gift those two or three goals away and then we had our chances.

“We didn’t capitalise on some of our crosses. Some of our decision making in the penalty box and finding the spare player was poor.

“Unless that improves, we’re not going to beat anyone, so we really need to improve that as we go along.

“It’s not something you can address overnight, but it is something that we’re focused on and are looking at ways to improve.”

Stajcic, who flagged three or four changes, suggested Australia would need to make mental adjustments, having failed to keep up the pressure in the second half after bombarding Chile’s goal with 11 first-half shots.

Midfielder Emily van Egmond, who scored both penalties in the first game, stressed Australia would not stray from its traditional attacking style.