Not content with merely qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time in 12 years, the Young Socceroos have booked their place in the U20 Asian Cup final for the first time in 15 years.
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The Australians picked up a 2-0 semi-final win against rivals Japan in Shenzhen, China with second half goals from Musa Toure and substitute Jaylan Pearman setting up a date with Saudi Arabia in Saturday’s final.
The Young Socceroos last made the final of the Asian Cup in 2010, when the tournament was last held in China, and Trevor Morgan’s side will be eager to go one better than the crop of teenagers from 15 years ago who fell 3-2 to North Korea at the final hurdle.
Australia has won all five of their matches to reach the final with a clean sweep of their group followed by a come from behind 3-2 quarter-final triumph against Iraq to book their World Cup berth in Chile in September and October this year, as well as the Japan victory.
Morgan’s team managed to turn the table on the Japanese after doing down 2-1 to them in a friendly earlier this month.
It was a lacklustre first half with neither side registering a shot on target, but Toure, the younger brother of Socceroo Mohamed Toure, provided a regular spark.
He scored the opener four minutes after the break as he slotted home Jonny Yull’s superb low cross.
Pearman put the game to bed shortly, only four minutes after he had come onto the pitch as a substitute, with a beautiful, curling finish from outside the box.
It was set up by Toure pouncing on a loose pass and dishing the ball off to Alex Badolato, the hero from the quarter-final.
Late in the game, Japan threatened several times but Australian goalkeeper Steven Hall, who is with English Premier League outfit Brighton, held firm to keep a clean sheet.
Their opponents in the final, Saudi Arabia, advanced via a penalty shootout after a goalless draw with South Korea.
Former Australian swimmer turned radio commentator Leisel Jones has issued a tear-jerking statement on air this morning in the wake of Marty Sheargold’s appalling comments about female sport.
His show did not air on Wednesday afternoon and Triple M has since made the call to part ways with Sheargold, with the station announcing they had “mutually agreed” to the decision.
“Southern Cross Austereo takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders and clients seriously and its programming should align with the standards and expectations of its audience,” SCA Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron said in a statement.
“Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review. Triple M, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff.”
Sheargold said: “Having mutually agreed to part ways with the Triple M Network, I fully understand the gravity of my comments.
“I’d like to sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation. I would also like to thank my immediate team for their hard work and apologise for the situation they now find themselves in.”
Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni said sports teams were “used to criticism” but Sheargold’s comments “crossed the line”.
“It’s completely unnecessary and generally outrageous, and, it’s something that from a behavioural perspective, is really very, very disappointing,” he said.
“For me, it’s not so much about sexism and misogyny, in a sense, although that’s unacceptable – let me make that clear.
“It’s what the comments were. The comments just crossed the line. They were just basically out of order and very, very unnecessary.
“Our team is obviously a very high-profile team, and being a high-profile team, you do take criticism, you do create criticism sometimes very near the edge, but sometimes that just goes over the edge, and those comments did that.”
Jones, 39, a nine-time Olympic medallist who co-hosts Triple M Breakfast on the Gold Coast, admitted to listeners she found it hard to front up to work on Wednesday after Sheargold made disparaging comments about the Matildas and women’s sport on his own Triple M show Monday afternoon.
Jones revealed she had been ambushed by dozens of negative comments on her Instagram account in the aftermath from people questioning why she hadn’t taken a stand on Tuesday’s show.
Speaking on-air Wednesday morning, an emotional Jones said she felt “extremely sick” by Sheargold’s comments, while also feeling forced to address why she was yet to talk about the controversy.
“I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry,” Jones, who was audibly sobbing, began.
“The comments are so hurtful against women’s sport that The Marty Sheargold Show shared. And obviously I’ve been quite upset all morning, and I was upset when I came in. I’ve been on and off the show all morning.
“It’s a very tricky position to be put in when Triple M is my place of employment, and obviously I love working on the show and I find it incredibly challenging to be put in a position where I become the unofficial spokesperson for women in sport.”
Leisel Jones has broken down in tears over Marty Sheargold’s comments.Source: SuppliedSheargold made disparaging comments about female sport on his own Triple M Show on Monday.Source: Channel 9
She continued, “Obviously, everyone would know I was a woman in sport. I’ve competed at the top level for women in sport and I am one of the biggest supporters. And when I woke up this morning and I came to work, I was bombarded with messages of why I wasn’t responding, why I didn’t say anything on social media.
“And I think a lot of people need to understand that it’s very hard when you’re in this position to say the things that you would really like to say. I would love to say all of these things. I have so many things inside that I would love to say I am the biggest supporter of women in sport.”
That aside, Jones went on to speak directly to the “little boys or girls” who might have heard Sheargold’s comments on their drive home from school.
“Please know that you are welcome to play sport … Sorry, I’m upset,” she said, her voice breaking.
“You are welcome to play sport to whatever level. You don’t have to be a midfielder. You don’t have to be an Olympian. You just play sport because sport is so wonderful.
“The biggest thing we could ask for is men to be on our side, when it comes to women in sport, because it’s always an uphill battle. To be paid less, to get less coverage, to not get the credit they deserve.”
Jones is considered one of the greatest Australian swimmers of all time.Source: News Limited
Finally, Jones issued a message to the Matildas, who were the main target of Sheargold’s spray, saying, “I think it’s so important to know they are inspiring, no matter what level they get to. Please know you are inspiring so many people.”
Sheargold’s controversial comments came after the Matildas kicked off their campaign in the annual SheBelieves Cup with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Japan on Friday, and then followed up with a 2-1 loss to the US three days later.
“There’s something wrong with the Matildas,” Sheargold said on Monday’s show.
“They had that wonderful tournament out here where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarters.
“You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls,” Sheargold continued.
“All the infighting and all the friendship issues, ‘the coach hates me and I hate bloody training and Michelle’s being a b**ch’.
“Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it so you can stick it up your arse.”
Sheargold later apologised for his outburst. Picture: Supplied/Triple MSource: Supplied
Co-host Will Ralston attempted to continue reading the news, referencing the name of the tournament, which prompted Sheargold to say, “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men.”
Ralston continued with the sports report, saying, “We’re 12 months out from Australia hosting the Women’s Asian Cup, so hopefully we have a better runway to improve before that comes around.”
Sheargold responded, “Oh god. The Asian Cup. I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that … Got any men’s sport?”
The 53-year-old later responded to the backlash on social media in a statement released by the radio network.
“Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise,” he said.
A spokesperson for Southern Cross Austereo, Triple M’s parent company, also said, “Marty Sheargold’s comments regarding the Matildas — made during Triple M Drive on Monday, 24 February — do not align with Triple M’s views and values, and Triple M remains steadfast in its strong support of all women’s and men’s sports.
Triple M on Wednesday apologised for the Sheargold’s comments, which were made on Monday on his afternoon radio show.
Sheargold said he would rather “hammer a nail through the head of my penis” than watch women’s football and he was “sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it so you can stick it up your arse”.
Sheargold’s comments also included a reference to the name of the tournament the Matildas are playing in, the She Believes Cup, saying, “Oh she believes in what? It better be men.”
His show did not air on Wednesday afternoon and Triple M has since made the call to part ways with Sheargold, with the station announcing they had “mutually agreed” to the decision.
“Southern Cross Austereo takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders and clients seriously and its programming should align with the standards and expectations of its audience,” SCA Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron said in a statement.
“Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review. Triple M, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff.”
Sheargold said: “Having mutually agreed to part ways with the Triple M Network, I fully understand the gravity of my comments.
“I’d like to sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation. I would also like to thank my immediate team for their hard work and apologise for the situation they now find themselves in.”
Football Australia on Wednesday issued a statement, saying it was “deeply disappointed by the unacceptable comments” and they “not only diminish the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our women’s national football team but also fail to recognise the profound impact they have had on Australian sport and society”.
Triple M radio presenter Marty Sheargold has apologised for comments he made about the Matildas and women’s football. Picture: Supplied/Triple MSource: Supplied
Sermanni said sports teams were “used to criticism” but Sheargold’s comments “crossed the line”.
“It’s completely unnecessary and generally outrageous, and, it’s something that from a behavioural perspective, is really very, very disappointing,” he said.
“For me, it’s not so much about sexism and misogyny, in a sense, although that’s unacceptable – let me make that clear.
“It’s what the comments were. The comments just crossed the line. They were just basically out of order and very, very unnecessary.
“Our team is obviously a very high-profile team, and being a high-profile team, you do take criticism, you do create criticism sometimes very near the edge, but sometimes that just goes over the edge, and those comments did that.”
Triple M’s statement included a personal apology from Sheargold.
“Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence at my comments regarding the Matildas,” he said.
“I sincerely apologise.”
Sermanni said his team had moved on from the matter and was concentrating on beating Colombia after losses to Japan (4-0) and USA (2-1).
“We’ll put that behind us … we’re here to play football,” he said.
“The players have just completely focused on the game.”
Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni speaks to players Kaitlyn Torpey (left) and Holly McNamara after Australia’s 2-1 loss to USA. Picture: Chris Coduto/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Sermanni was expecting a “physical” contest similar to Australia’s two matches against Brazil – won 3-1 and 2-1 by the South Americans – in Queensland last year.
“(It will) probably be more of a Brazil-style game that … so that’d be more a very physical game,” he said.
“They’ve got a couple of outstanding players in the line-up. We need to look after them, and being South American, they’ve got a certain rhythm, a certain way of playing that’s a little bit different to the Japanese and a little bit different to the Americans.”
Having been “bullied” by Japan last week, Sermanni was happier with the amount of challenges his side won against the Americans on Monday and wants more of the same on Thursday.
“We had a pretty serious chat after the first game (against Japan), and I think the players responded magnificently in that second game,” he said.
WARNING: This article contains language that some readers may find offensive
Comments live on-air from Triple M radio personality Marty Sheargold about Australia’s Matildas have been blasted as “disgusting” and “a f**king joke” — with the comedian since apologising, while Football Australia called the incident “deeply disappointing”.
The Matildas, Australia’s wildly popular national football side, are in the United States competing in the annual SheBelieves Cup along with Japan, Colombia and the host nation.
When the Triple M program and podcast, The Marty Sheargold Show, began discussing the Tillies’ results in the tournament on Monday afternoon, the host took the opportunity to express his feelings towards the team and women’s sport in general.
It’s understood the station has been flooded with complaints after the comments were posted on social media late on Tuesday.
Listen to part of the comments in the player below
The Matildas following their loss to the United States on Tuesday. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
It’s worth noting that when Sheargold began Monday’s show, he started with the message to listeners: “Little ears warning for the following podcast.
“It’s probably not for kids, there’s some adult concepts, not just today, every day.
“Buyer beware as they say.”
But we’ll leave it up to you to decide whether that is warning enough for what transpired live on Monday afternoon.
The discussion between Sheargold and co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralson began with Ralston mentioning the tournament to date.
“In football or soccer it’s been a nightmare tournament for the Matildas over the last three or four days over in the US,” Ralston said.
Sheargold immediately jumped in with the following rant, including downplaying – unintentionally or otherwise – the Matildas’ semi-final appearance at the 2023 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
“There’s something wrong with the Matildas,” Sheargold began.
“They had that wonderful tournament out here where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarters.
“You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls,” Sheargold continued, as laughter rang out in the background.
“All the infighting and all the friendship issues, ‘the coach hates me and I hate bloody training and Michelle’s being a bitch’.
“Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it so you can stick it up your arse.”
Triple M radio and podcast host Marty Sheargold. Picture: Supplied/Triple MSource: Supplied
The broadcaster and actor announced at the time he was taking an extended break to spend more time with family and “prioritise self-care (and) maintaining a better work/life balance”.
Ralston then tried to continue with the sports news bulletin, stating: “So we’re playing in the SheBelieves Cup.”
Sheargold jumped in, screaming “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men” as more laughter rang out.
After a conversation about Sam Kerr and her partner, American footballer Kristie Mewis, which included Sheargold’s question “do they play the same position?”, Ralson tried again to keep the bulletin moving.
Kristie Mewis (left) and Sam Kerr were also discussed on the program. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“We’re 12 months out from Australia hosting the Women’s Asian Cup, so hopefully we have a better runway to improve before that comes around,” he said.
Sheargold responded: “Oh god. The Asian Cup. I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that,” as a sound affect and more laughs were heard.
“Got any men’s sport?”
Ralston replied: “Yeah I do, baseball, the New York Yankees have dropped their 49-year ban on beards, on facial hair.”
“Now this is a good story,” Sheargold responded.
The exchange came to light after Olympic hockey player Ambrosia Malone posted part of it on TikTok with the following caption: “I honestly don’t know what is wrong with the world.
Tokyo Olympian Ambrosia Malone posted some of the comments on social media. Picture: Alex Coppel.Source: News Corp Australia
“I heard this on the radio yesterday in prime time (5.30pm) on the way to training and all I could think about was the young girls sitting in the car with their parents, maybe on the way to or from their own training sessions hearing this.
“I’m sure many of them would have been hurt and confused … I was in disbelief.
“This is apparently acceptable on mainstream afternoon radio??? HOW??”
She added: “I’d name the station and speaker, but I don’t want to reward their behaviour with publicity.”
There was a strong reaction on the platform, with many stating the same disbelief at the comments and asking for the station to be named.
“It’s worth lodging a complaint about this,” was one reply. “If you provide the station and time then I’m sure a few people would be interested in also lodging a complaint.”
Marty Sheargold and Mary Fowler. Photo: Triple M and Mark King, Getty Images.Source: Getty Images
Another wrote: “Is this a f**king joke?!? I feel like I’m living in a simulation. That cannot be a real recording.”
“This CAN’T be real,” added a third.
After the station and host was added to the comments, a vast number confirmed they had lodged a complaint with Triple M.
News.com.au has reached out to Triple M for comment.
Meanwhile, more prominent female athletes voiced their anger.
Swimming great Libby Trickett commented: “I’m livid. It’s 2025 and this isn’t funny.”
Netballer Gretel Bueta commented “Yuk”, while Diamonds great Bianca Chatfield left an angry face emoji.
Sheargold has apologised amid the backlash, claimed his joke missed the mark.
“Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise,’’ he said.
Triple M distanced itself from the comments, without indicating whether any disciplinary action would be taken against Sheargold.
An SCA spokesperson said: “Marty Sheargold’s comments regarding the Matildas — made during Triple M Drive on Monday, 24 February — do not align with Triple M’s views and values, and Triple M remains steadfast in its strong support of all women’s and men’s sports. We are sorry for any offence caused.”
Football Australia later issued a statement.
“Football Australia is deeply disappointed by the unacceptable comments made by Marty Sheargold on Triple M regarding the CommBank Matildas. Such remarks not only diminish the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our women’s national football team but also fail to recognise the profound impact they have had on Australian sport and society.
“The CommBank Matildas have inspired a new generation of Australians from young boys and girls to men and women who now see a future for themselves in football and sport more broadly. They have broken barriers, set new standards, and elevated the game to unprecedented heights. Their success has been instrumental in transforming women’s sport in Australia, and they deserve to be covered with the respect and professionalism they have earned.
“While we acknowledge the apologies issued by both Triple M and Marty Sheargold, this incident is a stark reminder of the responsibility media outlets and personalities have in fostering respectful and constructive discussions about women’s sport and its participants. Every comment, every report, and every discussion shape public perception and reinforces our society’s values toward women and girls in sport.”
Galatasaray have vowed to file a criminal complaint against Jose Mourinho amid claims he made “racist statements” after Monday’s Istanbul derby.
Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side drew 0-0 away with their bitter Turkish rivals but the match was overshadowed by allegations of racism.
Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho claimed after the stalemate that Galatasaray had tried to get one of his team booked early on, The Sun reports.
He told a press conference that “everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around like monkeys”.
Galatasaray immediately hit back and accused the Portuguese manager, 62, of “regularly using derogatory words towards the Turkish people” since moving to Istanbul.
In a damning statement, accompanied by a #SayNoToRacism tag, the reigning Turkish champions added: “[He] has now added inhumane rhetoric to his immoral statements.
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“We would like to inform you that we will file a criminal complaint with the prosecutor’s office and that we will also file a complaint with UEFA and FIFA regarding these racist statements against Jose Mourinho.
“Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce — an institution professing to uphold ‘exemplary moral values’— in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.”
Fenerbahce’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho looks on from the technical area during the UEFA Europa League knockout phase play-off 2nd leg football match between Fenerbahce SK (TUR) and RSC Anderlecht (BEL) at the Lotto Park Stadium in Brussels, on February 20, 2025. (Photo by Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP)Source: AFP
In his post-match press conference, Mourinho claimed Galatasary players had played for a draw and tried to get one of his players a yellow card.
Praising Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, who was reportedly drafted in from abroad following a string of controversies surrounding Turkish officials, Mourinho said: “The reason this was a good match was because of the referee’s performance.
“He had enough honesty to manage this match well. They tried to get a yellow card for our 18-year-old player from the first minute, but the referee managed the game well.”
However, it was his comments that followed which are believed to have caused uproar.
Mourinho continued: “In the situation I mentioned, everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around like monkeys.
“If it were a Turkish referee, they would have immediately given the card, and I would have had to take the player off in a minute.
“It was a great match for him.”
Thirty thousand police were deployed. Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images
“After the match, I went to the referee’s room. I said to the first referee, ‘Thank you for managing this big match well.’
“I said to the [Turkish] fourth official, ‘If it was you, this match would have been a disaster’. It was a very, very good match in terms of emotion and competition.”
Mourinho is yet to respond to the allegations made against him. The former Manchester United boss has previously spoken out on how football is plagued by racist incidents.
The feisty derby saw seven yellow cards dished out, and the match was also stopped momentarily when Fenerbahce fans launched flares into the home fans beneath them.
Some 30,000 police officers were believed to be on duty for Monday night’s match.
Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen later shared his club’s statement to his Instagram story.
Mourinho had previously criticised Osimhen for his on-pitch antics, labelling him a fantastic player, but claiming he “dives too much”.
Jose Mourinho is a multiple Premier League winning manager. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images
Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk later took aim at the “Special One” for going into the referee’s dressing room to talk to him.
Buruk said: “Mourinho took a long time to cry. The Crying One… He’s famous for crying. He went into the referee’s room and cried. Let him keep crying.
“Mourinho entered the referee’s room. It is very wrong for him to speak insultingly to the Turkish referee. He said that if they were the ones managing, it would be like this.
“This is very wrong. I cannot believe that he is humiliating the Turkish referees so much, I condemn it.”
Former Porto, Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss Mourinho took over at Fenerbahce last year.
Monday’s result leaves them in second place, six points behind Galatasaray with 12 Super Lig games remaining.
— This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission
The Matildas are still searching for a win in the SheBelieves Cup and while it was a gutsy 2-1 fightback against the No.1 team in the world, the USA, it threatens to disguise the biggest problem Football Australia is yet to solve; who will coach the Matildas?
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Even Sam Kerr’s court case in London proved a convenient distraction with the talking point both heading into this tournament, and after their opening 4-0 loss to Japan, centring around the injured skipper. Was the Kerr case a distraction? Should she still be captain? They were just some of the repetitive headlines.
Now the narrative needs to turn to the fact that the Matildas still don’t have a long term coach.
This is nothing against interim coach Tom Sermanni, who has been an incredible servant to the women’s game for 12 years with this, his third stint as the Matildas mentor. But the Australian National Team needs stability, longevity, strategic planning and fresh ideas.
They need a full time coach.
It’s been seven months since Tony Gustavsson finished his four-year stint — the most important tenure in Matildas history with the home World Cup in 2023 — with no word yet on any replacement.
For context, when Graham Arnold quit as Socceroos coach in September, they hired Tony Popovic four days later. The Socceroos had World Cup qualifiers and needed to fill the hole fast, but the Matildas have their own deadline with the Asian Cup, which is being held on home soil next March.
The Matildas won the Asian Cup in 2010 but failed to make it past the quarterfinals at the last Cup in 2022. The stakes are high. The commercial success of the Matildas has never been greater. The team created a tidal wave of excitement and interest from the Australian public like we’ve never seen before during their successful World Cup campaign in 2023. And if there is one thing that sustains that passion, it’s winning.
We have another opportunity to relive the Matildas hysteria and fandom of 2023 when we host next year’s Asian Cup. There’s a real opportunity to again create something special during the tournament and preserve the Matildas legacy. The packed stadiums, strong viewership and water cooler conversations can become the platforms to inspire and be a national source of pride. Not just strong performances, but winning scorelines, are essential to that success.
It was also widely expected Gustavsson wouldn’t be back after his contract came to an end, meaning either the search should have started much sooner or it’s taking way too long.
There’s been little said about FA’s shortlist. From what we do know, representatives have been reported as saying they were hoping to speak to the England Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman. Yet Wiegman is contracted to the World Cup Finalists until 2027 and is in the midst of preparing for the women’s Euros 2025 where they’re hoping to defend their title. The Euros final also isn’t until the end of July, leaving it very late for discussions and a possible, but improbable, move.
There were also rumours Football Australia was interested in former Manchester United women and San Diego Waves coach Casey Stoney although she has recently been appointed as the Canadian women’s head coach.
Closer to home, Ross Aloisi, Ante Juric and former Matilda Tanya Oxtoby were also reportedly being considered despite Oxtoby being contracted as the Northern Ireland women’s coach until 2027.
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Another woman in the pathways system, Young Matildas coach Leah Blayney took up a position as the Japanese Assistant Coach earlier this year.
The Matildas World Cup legacy is at risk if a coaching solution isn’t found soon. Commentator Grace Gill raised the concern after the Matildas loss to the USA.
“I think another thing the USA has is a coach (Emma Hayes) who is backed, who is there for the future, who has got these grand plans and we’re seeing those plans start to fall into place. Tommy Sermanni is in a position where he’s the interim coach, we know he’s not there long term,” Gill said.
“So in the way we saw such experimentation by Emma Hayes she’s got that backing, she’s got that support, you can see the federation is there saying ‘yep we’re behind you’ bringing in the 17s, the 20s, the senior team in the US altogether.
“Imagine that happening in Australia our 17s training with our senior team so there’s this stylistic pathway up from our juniors, our grassroots. These are grand plans, grand ambitions but Emma Hayes has that backing and Tom Sermanni is a little hamstrung in how much he can do while he is in the job.”
Former Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes only started as the USA coach a year ago and has already blooded 15 debutants and is unbeaten in 17 games.
The clock is ticking to fill the vacant coaching position and there’s so much more than just a game to lose for the Matildas.
It took just 41 seconds for the Matildas to fall behind with the USA scoring the opening goal in a flash in Arizona.
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The nighmare start for the Australians came via a blunder at the back which allowed Lynn Biyendolo to stroll into the box unmarked and complete a tap-in.
“A nightmare start for Australia,” former Matilda Grace Gill said on commentary.
Biyendolo put the ball into the back of the net for a second time at the eight-minute mark, but the linesperson’s flag saved the Matildas from falling 2-0 down.
The USA celebrate their opening minute goal against the Matildas.Source: FOX SPORTS
PREVIEW
The Matildas have made four changes to the starting XI that was humbled 4-0 by Japan for their an important SheBelievesCup clash with the USA.
The Olympic champions are always a formidable opponent, and particularly so on home soil, with the Australians desperately needing to lift their game in Arizona after an incredibly disappointing first up defeat.
Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, defender Clare Hunt, and veterans Tamika Yallop and Katrina Gorry have all been benched with goalkeeper Teagan Micah, defender Winonah Heatley, recalled striker Holly McNamara and Charli Grant taking their places in the starting side.
McNamara’s comeback is special as she makes her first start in national colours in more than three years after enduring three ACL tears.
“It’s fantastic for her and for the team,” Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni told Paramount+.
“She’s done an exceptional job to get herself fit and healthy after three ACLs in quick succession. It’s important to get her out there and see how she goes from the start.”
Meanwhile, USA have opted to change all eleven players in the starting team from their previous match – the first time they have done so in 24 years.
“The thing that the US has done now is they’ve built up not just a starting team, but a real quality squad, where even if they have five or six key players missing, they’ve still got an outstanding team … so they’re a very formidable side at the moment,” Sermanni said.
“Everybody plays a little bit different to Japan, but the US and the Australian styles in general, have been, to a degree, quite similar,” Sermanni said.
“If you look historically, particularly over the last 10 or 15 years, most of the games between the US and the Aussies have been quite tight and very competitive because I think we’re two very similar nations in many ways.”
The Young Socceroos after off to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile in September and October this year, breaking a 12-year drought.
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The Australian teenagers booked their place in the global showpiece tournament for the first time since 2013 with a thrilling 3-2 win in their quarter-final against Iraq at the U20 Asian Cup in China.
Victory put Australia through to the semi-finals, where they will face either Japan or Iran on Wednesday as Australia came from behind twice with several young stars putting their names up in lights.
Melbourne Victory’s Alex Badolato was the match-winner in Shenzhen with a superb 75th minute volley proving to be the deciding goal.
A headed clearance fell to Badolato just outside the box and he hit a stunning strike into the back of the net to produce one of the great winning goals.
Iraq struck first after 15 minutes, but roughly seven minutes later, Australia levelled through Adelaide United’s Luka Jovanovic’s excellent free kick from long range beating the Iraqi wall and goalkeeper.
Iraq led again four minutes later, but shortly after the half an hour mark scores were level again in a wild first half.
The Iraqi defence failed to clear Paul Okon-Englster’s cross and central defender Panagiotis Kikianis curled home a nice right foot finish among the scramble in the penalty area.
“Obviously super proud for the boys. It’s a life goal to get to a World Cup,” manager Trevor Morgan said.
“They had to do so with some adversity, which makes it even more enjoyable. They had to show that fighting spirit and produced the goods.”
Earlier in the tournament, the Young Socceroos topped their group with three wins from three games against China, Qatar and the Kyrgyz Republic.
Ange Postecoglou’s path to deliver a trophy to Tottenham has become clearer, after the Spurs were confirmed to play AZ Alkmaar in the next stage of the Europa League.
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Manchester United were drawn to play Real Sociedad of Spain in the last 16 of this season’s Europa League, while Rangers will take on Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
Ruben Amorim’s United are struggling in the Premier League this season but finished third in the league phase of the Europa League.
They will travel to San Sebastian for the first leg on March 6 before the return a week later against a Real Sociedad side who reached this stage after beating Midtjylland of Denmark in the play-off round.
The clubs have met several times in European competition in recent years, with United winning a Europa League knockout phase play-off tie in 2021 before both sides each won away from home in the group stage in 2022/23. They also faced off in the Champions League group stage in 2013.
Whoever wins will advance to a last-eight tie against either Lyon or FCSB. The Romanians lost 2-0 at home to United in their last game in the group phase last month.
“It was everything” – Spurs sweep Man U | 01:49
Fenerbahce will welcome beaten 2022 finalists Rangers to Istanbul for the first leg of their tie in a competition coach Mourinho won with United in 2017. He also won its predecessor, the UEFA Cup, as Porto boss in 2003.
If Fenerbahce win, Mourinho could come up in the quarter-finals against one of his old clubs in Roma, with whom he won the Europa Conference League in 2022.
However, Claudio Ranieri’s Roma face a tough task in the last 16 against Athletic Bilbao, who are determined to go all the way to this season’s final, which will be played at their San Mames home on May 21.
‘Bigger club with bigger pressure” | 00:46
Spurs will go to the Netherlands for the first leg of their last-16 tie against AZ, who they defeated 1-0 in the league phase in October.
If they win, Ange Postecoglou’s team could be back in the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, with the victors in that tie playing either Ajax or 2022 tournament winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
Spurs and Manchester United cannot meet until the final, but the Old Trafford club could face either Mourinho’s Fenerbahce or Rangers in the last four.
Last season’s Conference League winners Olympiakos of Greece will play Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the last 16, for the right to take on either Lazio — who finished first in the league phase — or Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic in the quarters.
The Matildas have been given a reality check just over 12-months out from the Asian Cup on home soil with their defending in a 4-0 defeat to Japan at the SheBelieves Cup labelled “un-Australian” by interim coach Tom Sermanni.
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The gulf in class between the two sides in Houston could not have been more evident as Australia succumbed to its largest ever losing margin to its biggest regional rival.
If they’re to lift the Asian Cup next year then improvement in every facet of the game will be needed. This performance will either prove to be just a bad day at the office or an almighty warning sign.
The only positive from a dire outing is that the flaws have been ruthlessly exposed now when there’s still more than enough time to turn things around.
It was tough watching for interim coach Tom Sermanni.
This was the seventh match of his third stint in charge of the national side and it ended with the biggest defeat of that period.
The 70-year-old has a unique way of delivering bad news in a polite way, but even his assessment of the performance against Japan landed like a sledgehammer.
There are few things that hit home more than being labelled “un-Australian,” but there could be no other assessment of the Matildas effort without the ball in his 145th match at the helm of the Matildas.
“We want to be a team that is hard to beat and to be honest today, we really gave up some soft goals,” Sermanni said.
“I just felt some of the goals that we gave up were very poor, and that’s kind of un-Australian.”
The Matildas were dealt a reality check.Source: AFP
A CLASH OF STYLES
The opening five minutes of the match told the story of the entire game.
Japan retained possession with poise, patience and a huge dose of technical skill. The Matildas, in contrast, routinely turned the ball over on the back of a relentless and organised Japan press.
It was 2-0 at half-time but could’ve easily have been more and Japan’s third goal in the 52nd minute came off the back of a free-flowing 14-pass move that culminated with Maika Hamano being able to almost walk the ball into the back of the net.
“Sometimes you just have to sit back say ‘you know what, we were just played off the field today’ and that’s what we were,” Sermanni said.
“They were quicker to every ball, they kept possession fantastically; when we tried to press, they broke out of the press, when we sat back they managed to play through us so sometimes you have one of those games.
“I’d like to give you X, Y and Z as to why it happened, but in reality, they were just very, very good today and we were a bit off.”
Strangely, the Matildas were second best when it came to aerial challenges as well.
Japan’s fourth goal, which came via a Moeka Minami header, was one of many duels Australia lost in the air. It was uncharacteristic to say the least. They’re moments that even on a bad day the Matildas are usually in control of.
“I just felt some of the goals that we gave up were very poor,” was Sermanni’s assessment.
Physicality and intensity are the fallbacks when tactically things aren’t going to plan for Australia, but those attributes are only able to be applied when you can get near your opponent. That was something that proved out of reach.
The Matildas gameplan seemed to revolve around trying to win possession off long balls and playing off the back of that higher up the pitch and out of danger.
Japan produced a masterclass that was in complete contrast.
Their technical ability allowed them to keep the ball for long periods of time, shifting the Matildas defensive formation around until an opening appeared which they exposed with efficiency.
Sermanni, when asked where it all went wrong, didn’t try to deflect or make excuses.
“We were outplayed football wise, we were outplayed physically, we were outplayed, I think, mentally and outplayed in our decision making.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 20: Holly McNamara controls the ball against Yui Hasegawa.Source: AFP
ONE SHOT FOR THE MATCH
The statistical summation of the game doesn’t make for pretty reading for Australia.
The lone shot at goal came in the 87th minute and off the boot of left back Charli Grant, who was a second-half substitute for captain Steph Catley.
The attempt cannoned into the crossbar, but as spectacular as it would’ve been had it nestled into the back of the net, it still would’ve been little more than a consolation goal.
Grant’s effort came on the end of a nine pass move that followed a near miss-kick from Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold that offered Japan the chance to make it 5-0.
It was a rare moment of cohesion from a side that looked largely disjointed.
Japan finished with 18 shots and 8 on target.
MARY FOWLER
Fowler is one of the most technically gifted players in the Australian set-up but finding ways to get her into the game in green and gold has been problematic.
She came into this tournament with three goals and five assists from her last four games for club side Manchester City. It gave her the honour of being the first player in the history of the Women’s Super League to record at least two goal involvements in four straight matches.
This loss doesn’t fall on Fowler’s shoulders by any stretch, but the question of how to ensure she can have the most impact on matches remains unsolved.
The 22-year-old was able to get on the ball more in the second half, but a lack of possession from Australia more generally, hindered her ability to hurt Japan.
A fully firing Fowler isn’t the answer to all of Australia’s problems, but it certainly is part of the jigsaw.
THE SELECTION TABLE
Sermanni named a full-strength side to face Japan.
If this was the Asian Cup final then the team the Matildas would put out would be almost the same.
There’d be a lineball call on whether Sharn Freier, Kaitlyn Torpey or Tameka Yallop started on the left, but apart from that the starting eleven would be identical if everyone was fit and available for selection.
A performance that led to a defeat like this with an experimental side would be understandable.
This result against Australia’s best possible side is problematic.
“It was a pretty huge wake-up call I think,” Sermanni said.
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THE NEW KIT
On a day when Football Australia launched its new kit there was a frustrating sense of familiarity to the Matildas’ struggles in possession against a highly technical opponent.
That had nothing to do with the strip of course.
The jersey has been met with mixed reviews online, but Australian football fans might just find it grows on them.
Some kits look better on the field with shorts and socks included than hanging on the rack at your local retail outlet.
This one has the feel of being a collector’s item in 20-years-time, similar to the jersey worn by the Socceroos between 1990 and 1993 which is sought after right now.
Give it time.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Matildas have just three days to learn and move on from this result before running into tournament hosts America in Glendale, Arizona on Monday morning (AEDT).
Sermanni, who is holding the fort while Football Australia continues its search for Tony Gustavsson’s full-time replacement, has his work cut out for him.
“As a professional you need to bounce back after bad results and this will be a good test and probably a benchmark for the team to see if we’re able to do that in the next two games,” he said.
As affable as the interim is, he has left his players in no doubt as to what is now required.
