Superb victory but no trophy
THEY don’t have any silverware to show for it but the Matildas say their Tournament of Nations campaign is more proof they have what it takes to win the one that matters: next year’s Women’s World Cup.
Australia gained some sweet revenge on its Asian Cup conqueror Japan with a 2-0 win yesterday to finish the round-robin event undefeated.
But the 4-1 victory by the United States over Brazil in the match that followed meant the Matildas were unable to retain their trophy from last year, with the Americans winning it on goal difference.
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams was looking on the bright side — Australia finished the tournament unbeaten and with the best defensive record of all three teams, conceding just two goals.
“There’s definitely a lot of positives we can take away from this tournament,” Williams said.
“There are a few things that we need to get better at as a group and individually and that will be our main focus. We want to go into 2019 flying and the World Cup ready to go.”
Williams said the Matildas already viewed themselves as genuine contenders for the World Cup in France next June, and their performances in the Tournament of Nations have cemented that feeling.
Australia beat Brazil 3-1 in their opening match and drew 1-1 with the world No.1-ranked Americans on Tuesday after conceding a late goal from a corner.
Then they recovered from a slow start against Japan to overwhelm the team that edged them in April’s Asian Cup final.
Defender Alanna Kennedy’s free kick goal in the 47th minute and a late strike from Samantha Kerr proved the difference in Bridgeview, Illinois.
Kennedy’s effort went straight through the Japanese wall and beat goalkeeper Chika Hirao at her near post.
Kerr, who was playing at the venue her NWSL club Chicago Red Stars call home, doubled the advantage in the 81st minute.
Hirao rushed out of her box in an attempt to cut off a through ball but misjudged it badly.
Kerr then turned on the pace to round a defender before rolling the ball into an empty net.