In a match between the world No. 8 Japanese and No. 15 Aussies, it looked like it would have been a close match as the Matildas look to put a dire 2024 behind them.
Unfortunately, it was a horror show in the Matildas’ first match since December as Asia’s true powerhouse put the Aussies to the sword.
The result was the biggest ever loss by the Matildas to Japan and should have been much worse with some terrible shots, but what was worse was that the Aussies quite literally didn’t even fire a shot, with no shots on goal throughout the 90 minutes.
At halftime, the commentators were stunned by the 2-0 deficit, with calls for the Matildas to break out of their malaise.
Host Tara Rushton said it was “difficult to watch”.
“It looks like a team that doesn’t really know where they’re at with each other, and a little bit flat and bereft of energy.”
Aussie football veteran Andy Harper agreed.
“This was beyond less than acceptable. This is nowhere near good enough,” he said on Paramount+.
“Tom Sermanni came in, wanted to build stability with this first game, get off to a winning start. This team knows each other intimately. There’s almost 1000 caps spread across … this is so far away from being an acceptable first half of football from our national team in a preparation for an Asian Cup which we’re hosting.”
The Matildas were thrashed by Japan. Photo: Jack Gorman/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Former Matilda Grace Gill said the team would have to “take a good hard look at themselves at halftime”, hitting out at the team’s wasteful first half performance.
The only half chance the Matildas had a strong ball from Kyra Cooney-Cross that found an off-side Caitlin Foord but there was little else that could be considered a positive from a dire first half.
Even the Japanese goals were far from screamers with Mina Tanaka scoring off a weak strike after a failed header clearance from Australia.
The second was little more than a tap in after Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy ran into each other.
And the Matildas were lucky to not be further behind after a near-certain header clanged off the crossbar.
Gill said the goals were “easily preventable, easily fixed”.
“It was not controlling the ball, it was not settling things down, everything was going Japan’s way,” Gill says.
“Those (Japan) goals are easily defendable … it’s just defensively poor.
“It feels like the intensity is not there.”
But it was more of the same in the second half with the third goal five minutes after the break.
Despite a few positive moments from Japan showed the gulf in class with a sharp passing move giving Maika Hamano the easiest of tap ins.
At full-time, Harper called it “very very poor”.
“Disappointing doesn’t really come close to covering it,” Harper said.
“It was a morning which simply did not work.”
Hayley Raso reacts for the Matildas. Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Gill said it exposed the “chasm” between the teams.
Harper said the loss exposed a hard truth for Australian football.
“We’re having the same discussion after a Matildas game against Japan as we have after a men’s game against Japan,” he said.
“This is not a team against another team, this is a system against another system.
“While Japan over five, 10, 15 years have made vast progress on a technical level with their players, we sit here sending out national teams out and the chasm between Japan and Australia technically seems to be getting wider, not narrower.”
Fans were quick to take aim at the performance, with criticisms focusing on the fact the Matildas still have an interim coach.
Sport broadcaster Daniel Garb slammed the performance.
“That’s a disaster for The Matildas with as strong a side as it can name at present. Heaviest ever loss to Japan. Concerning a year out from a home Asian Cup,” he said.
“Tom Sermanni is a great of the women’s game & is not to blame but they’ve got to get a move on with a permanent coach.”
The West Australian’s Ben Smith commented: “One shot on target. Matildas in dire need of a direction and a coach, because right now they’re just spinning the wheels. Sermanni in a tough spot, but there doesn’t feel like there’s any jeopardy for senior players.”
“This she believes cup was the perfect time to have a full-time coach in camp with the Matildas. Why there isn’t one yet is insane,” one fan said.
Another added: “The Matildas look seriously out of form and poorly organised. They are a metaphor for @FootbalAUS. We have NO coach and the classy Japanese have an Australian assistant coach. We have a thin bench and a porous defence. Reform is an urgent need.”
There was nothing to celebrate for the Matildas. Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Speaking after the game, defender Ellie Carpenter lamented a horrific day at the office.
“It was a bad performance from us and we need to regroup, refocus for the game against the US,” she said.
“I think we weren’t all on the same page with the press. But like I said, it wasn’t good enough tonight and we just need to refocus, regroup and focus on the next match.”
It gets no easier for the Aussies with the Matildas facing hosts and world No. 1 the US on Monday before finishing against Colombia next Thursday.
Youngster Francisco Conceicao snatched Portugal a last-gasp 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their Euro 2024 Group F opener on Wednesday morning AEST just minutes after coming off the bench.
The 21-year-old Porto winger capitalised from close range after the Czechs were unable to clear a cross, completing his team’s comeback.
The Czechs went ahead against the run of play through Lukas Provod’s fine strike from the edge of the box after the hour mark.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal did not shine but dug just deep enough to claim victory, with Robin Hranac’s own goal pulling them level before Conceicao’s dramatic winner.
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Ronaldo, 39, playing at a record-extending sixth European Championship, was denied by Stanek on three occasions as Portugal constantly looked to find the competition’s all-time top goalscorer.
The striker hit the post with the score tied and Diogo Jota nodded in the rebound but the goal was disallowed for off-side against Ronaldo.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez selected 41-year-old defender Pepe, who became the oldest player in Euros history, beating the record set by Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly aged 40 in 2016, as part of a three centre-back defence.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFPSource: AFP
Portugal won that tournament in 2016 to claim the trophy for the first time and captain Ronaldo said they deserve another, although they got off to a stuttering start in Germany.
In coach Ivan Hasek’s first competitive game after taking over in January, the Czech Republic largely frustrated Martinez’s side, who qualified unbeaten while scoring more goals than any other team.
Ronaldo sent an effort wide with his shoulder after Rafael Leao cut inside with menace early on, as the Portuguese controlled the ball.
Bruno Fernandes’ deflected dipping effort had some Portugal fans out of their seats and Leao was inches away from connecting with a low cross from the Manchester United playmaker.
Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek twice denied Ronaldo on a record 26th Euros appearance, but on both occasions the striker appeared marginally off-side.
The Al Nassr hitman’s brightest moment came with a clever backheel which played in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha, but the Czech defence swarmed around him quickly and blocked his shot.
Debate over whether Ronaldo should still be a starter or not has rumbled on since the 2022 World Cup and at times Portugal looked short on ideas beyond slinging crosses in towards him.
Stanek comfortably saved a Ronaldo free-kick from distance before the Czechs made their breakthrough.
Slavia Prague midfielder Provod whipped a superb strike past Diogo Costa from the edge of the box after Portugal failed to fully clear a cross just past the hour mark.
However Portugal were quickly level when Hranac unfortunately turned the ball into his own net, after Stanek palmed Nuno Mendes’ header straight at him from point-blank range.
Ronaldo and Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick finished as joint top scorers at Euro 2020 with five goals each but neither was at their lethal best in Leipzig.
Jota thought he had grabbed a last-gasp winner after Ronaldo’s header bounced off the woodwork into his path, but VAR showed the veteran forward was off-side.
It didn’t matter for Martinez’s men though after Conceicao came on to fire them to the three points, putting Portugal level with Turkey at the top of Group F.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFPSource: AFP
TURKEY WINS THRILLER AGAINST EURO DEBUTANTS
Turkey got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a thrilling start on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Georgia that was marred by fan violence.
Pre-game footage from inside the BVB Stadion in Dortmund shows punches and projectiles being thrown between supporters before police had to intervene.
Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler crashed in a brilliant goal in the 65th minute to put Turkey ahead at a Westfalenstadion dominated by tens of thousands of Turkish fans, before Kerem Akturkoglu rolled home the third with the last kick of the game as Georgia pushed for a late leveller.
Guler, 19, had a difficult time with injuries in his first season in Madrid but stepped up for Turkey in a fiercely-contested match with Georgia, who did not look out of place in their first-ever match at a major international tournament.
“I’m really happy with the win, I hope I can score more goal to help my team,” said Guler.
“I don’t care about personal achievements, I’m only concerned about helping the team win and that we go as far as possible.”
Georgia were dangerous after Georges Mikautadze levelled Mert Muldur’s 25th-minute opener for Turkey just after the half-hour mark, and were denied a second equaliser by the woodwork and a series of saves and blocks.
But Akturkoglu made sure Turkey would top the group ahead of Portugal’s opening match with the Czech Republic later on Tuesday.
“It’s a bit early to talk about what was missing, but I will say a bit of talent, a bit of experience,” said Georgia coach Willy Sagnol.
“I’m sure that in the future, this kind of game in the next months and the next years I’m sure Georgia won’t lose, because Georgia will learn … I have absolutely nothing bad to say about them.”
Turkey took the cue from their fervent support and went at Georgia from the off, pressuring their inexperienced opposition high up the pitch as a huge din came rolling down from the stands.
Kaan Ayhan and Abdulkerim Bardakci both went close with headers from corners inside the first 10 minutes before Ayhan crashed a low drive off the inside of the post.
Georgia defender Lasha Dvali. Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFPSource: AFP
In a breathless opening period, Anzor Mekvabishvili almost gave Georgia a shock lead in the 11th minute when his wildly deflected shot was well saved by Mert Gunok.
But Muldur sparked wild celebrations in the stands in the 25th minute with a stunning volley after Ferdi Kadioglu’s cross was cleared to him on the edge of the area.
The roars from Muldur’s goal had barely subsided when Kenan Yildiz poked home what he thought was Turkey’s second, only for the goal to be ruled out for the Juventus attacker’s toes straying off-side before he tapped home.
And Mikautadze then stunned what was effectively the home crowd in the 32nd minute by sweeping home Giorgi Kochorashvili’s low cross after brilliant play down the right.
The small but loud Georgian contingent had their heads in their hands shortly afterwards when Mikautadze look certain to put their team ahead but dragged a great opportunity wide.
Turkey again started on the front foot after the break, but Georgia held their own and Mikautadze was in the thick of it again in the 52nd minute when Bardakci blocked his effort after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s burst down the left.
Kvaratskhelia, who was below-par throughout, then poked a good chance wide in the 62nd minute and only moments later Guler took aim from distance and arrowed in an unstoppable shot past the despairing Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Guler’s goal made him the first teenager since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004 to score on his Euros debut, with the pair possibly facing off on Saturday.
Georgia pushed for another equaliser and came desperately close five minutes after Guler’s strike when Kochorashvili skipped past a couple of weak challenges only to see his shot rattle the crossbar.
Kochorashvili and Zuriko Davitashvili were both unfortunate not to level in added time as goalkeeper Mamardashvili pushed forward for one last effort and Akturkoglu charged home on the break to seal a hugely entertaining win.
As good as Glenn Maxwell is, Brisbane Heat expect Australia’s white-ball star to give a “chance” on Thursday night, and then it’s up to the hosts to grab it at the Gabba.
Maxwell will be one of the main attractions when Melbourne Stars team takes on the Heat in the opening match of the BBL season.
The 35-year-old batting powerhouse was superb during Australia’s recent 50-over World Cup triumph in India, with his unbeaten 201 off 128 balls to steer his team to victory over Afghanistan regarded as one the finest limited-overs innings of all-time.
Maxwell was also in top form during Australia’s subsequent T20 series against India, with the highlight being his 104 not out off 48 balls to guide his side to its only win in the five-match battle.
“He’s the ‘Big Show’ for a reason, isn’t he?” the Heat’s own batting powerhouse Colin Munro said of Maxwell.
“We know ‘Maxi’’ has been sometimes criticised in the past for the way he plays, but he stuck true to the way he plays and he’s coming out the other end.
“Every time the team relies on him he comes out and he does what he does best.
“That innings (against Afghanistan) when he was cramping up and looked like he was getting shot from all angles was exceptional.
“I don’t think you’ll ever see something like that again.”
However, Maxwell was given lives by Afghanistan when he was on 24 and 33, with Munro saying the Heat could not afford to be as sloppy in the field.
“When you’re bowling at a player like that, he’s always in the game – he’s going to give you chances,” Munro said.
“We’ve got to be on, and (remember) that old cliche – catches win matches.
“We’ve just got to have our planning and scouting in place, and hopefully we can execute to him.
“Hopefully he’s a little bit tired, and then comes in a little bit fatigued (on Thursday) night, and we don’t see him at his best.”
The Heat, who are missing a host of players due to PM’s XI duty, have bolstered their playing depth for the opening rounds of the BBL with the addition of three replacement players – Tasmanian top-order batsman Charlie Wakim, Gold Coast all-rounder Hugo Burdon and Toombul batsman Lachlan Hearne.
Brisbane Heat coach Wade Seccombe said: “The players who are coming on-board as replacements bring a wide range of skills to the group and if they have an opportunity to play, we will be very confident in their ability to contribute to the group.”
Australia’s World Cup destiny is likely to be shaped over its next three matches and the heat is rising on captain Pat Cummins to justify his place in the best XI.
With Mitchell Starc indispensable and Josh Hazlewood the No.2 ranked ODI bowler in the world behind India’s Mohammed Siraj, Cummins would appear the clear third seed in this format … except for the fact he’s skipper of the side.
Selectors could have mitigated this looming conundrum had they made Mitchell Marsh or Steve Smith World Cup captain, but when they made the captaincy call hastily last year following Aaron Finch’s retirement on the eve of the home T20 World Cup, Cummins’ undisputed strengths as a leader trumped all other factors.
And as it currently stands, Cummins deserved first crack.
With the glaring hole of not having a second frontline spinner in the squad, with Stoinis returning from a sore hamstring and Green hardly setting the world on fire with his form, it’s understandable why selectors have started the tournament with a proven champion, regardless what the format is.
But at some point in this World Cup, and possibly very soon, selectors will need to seriously debate whether Australia would achieve greater balance with an extra batting all-rounder or spinner in the XI instead of running with all three of the big quicks.
Certainly had spinner Ashton Agar not been withdrawn from the squad with injury on the eve of the tournament, he would have played the opening match in Chennai.
Whether that would have been in place of Green or Cummins – or Hazlewood as the unlucky fall guy – is the million dollar question.
If the fitness gamble on Travis Head is abandoned or if another injury in the squad opens the door for selectors to correct the current imbalance in the 15 and include a second frontline spinner, that’s when the selection debate will really catch fire.
Australia often talks about having a squad mentality and that the ODI leadership model is a lot more fluid than in Test match cricket: but would selectors be prepared to take that to the extreme of leaving the captain out of the best XI?
Speaking to this masthead before Australia even flew out for its pre-World Cup warm-up series in South Africa, Hazlewood said Cummins was the kind of selfless leader who, if circumstances required it, would sacrifice his place for the greater good of the team.
Not that Hazlewood thinks that will happen: he is adamant three quicks can win Australia the World Cup, just as it did when they proved all the doubters wrong to lift the T20 trophy in the UAE in 2020.
“When you’re trying to make up 20 or 25 overs with all-rounders then it can get away from you. A lot of the time the three quicks is our strongest team anyway,” Hazlewood said back in August before a ball was bowled.
“Apart from (Chennai), everywhere else, the bounce isn’t too bad in Bangalore, Mumbai and up north. Conditions change so much. It’s definitely not all spin. It’s a lot different to the Test matches.
“… (But) I think if it’s clear cut and Starcy and I are bowling the house down and Pat’s not quite up to his 100 per cent, then I’m sure he’ll be happy to see the writing on the wall a bit and put himself out of the team and Smith or Marsh can take the lead for one game here or there if conditions don’t quite suit (three quicks).
“At the same time, Pat could be bowling the house down and Mitch and I might not be bowling well.
“T20 and one-day cricket is a bit of a different beast and … I don’t think the captaincy automatically selects you in the team. Whereas in the Test team he’s probably well above (Starc and I) in regards to his record and how he bowls and he’s phenomenal in the Test arena.”
Steve Smith refused to be drawn on whether the sanctions handed down to three Marylebone Cricket Club members over the infamous Lord’s Pavillion incident were appropriate, but maintained that those in the Long Room were in a privileged position to get as close to players as they do.
Usman Khawaja and David Warner were particularly riled by the conduct of the members.
Former Australian captain Smith, who posted a century during the match, said determining whether the penalties were fair was “outside of my paygrade” but stressed that members at Lord’s were in a fortunate position to have such proximity to players, where cricketers walk between patrons through the pavilion en route to the arena.
“It’s not really my place to say whether it was appropriate or not. You know, I think the MCC and Lord’s it’s a special place and people are in a privileged position I supposed to be close to us in the way we come out to the ground,” Smith said on Friday at Australia’s team hotel in Chennai ahead of training.
“It’s like nowhere else in the world. So, yeah, look, I’m not gonna comment on the sanctions or anything. It’s outside of my pay grade. But yeah it is what it is and we’ll move on.”
While the match was a triumph for Smith on a personal front, it was not without a cost. The all-time great hurt his wrist in the field during the match, an injury which afflicted him for the remainder of the series and forced him to miss Australia’s ensuing white-ball tour of South Africa.
But having had a cortisone injection, Smith said he was again fit and primed to perform in Australia’s World Cup campaign, which begins against hosts India on Sunday.
“It’s good actually. Yeah, had an injection back home before coming over here and it’s a lot better. I feel like I can use my wrists and decelerate in defence and all different things that I was struggling to do in England. So pleased that it’s come back that way and hopefully, it stays that way,” Smith said.
“It’s hard to put a number on (how much it hampered me). Just a few things were challenging, particularly defending and decelerating, the force that sort of goes through that was hard and just when I got in certain positions, it was a bit uncomfortable. Yeah, just hampered slightly, but you know, that happens sometimes.
“You’ve just got to find your way through it. But, yeah, it was good to have that break afterwards and try and get it right and then obviously the needle I had made a big difference. So yeah, like I said, hopefully it stays the way it is now.”
While Smith could be called upon to captain the side during the tournament if Pat Cummins is rested, he said he was hopeful Cummins would be able to get through all nine round-robin games.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra smashed centuries to power New Zealand to a crushing nine-wicket win over defending champions England in the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday.
England, who were without talismanic Ben Stokes due to a hip injury, were restricted to 9/282 after the Kiwis elected to bowl at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
The left-handed pair of Conway (152) and Ravindra (123) then put on an unbeaten stand of 273 for the second wicket as the Black Caps comfortably overhauled the target with 13.4 overs to spare.
The result was a contrast to the epic World Cup final at Lord’s in 2019 between the two teams when England won a tied match on boundary count back.
“Sometimes it’s unbelievable at times, but great to have a great day out,” said Ravindra.
“The bowlers bowled well and we were lucky enough to have Devon out there.”
New Zealand, led by Tom Latham in the absence of regular skipper Kane Williamson, kept England down to a below-par total despite Joe Root’s 77.
Ravindra and Conway made short work of the target as they smashed the opposition bowlers all around the ground after losing Will Young early to left-arm quick Sam Curran.
Conway hit the first ton of the tournament off 83 balls studded with 13 fours and two sixes and soon reached 1000 runs in 23 ODI matches.
The 23-year-old Ravindra quickly followed with his maiden ODI century off 82 balls with nine fours and four sixes, raising his bat to acknowledge the smattering of fans inside the 132,000-capacity arena.
Conway surpassed his previous best of 138 as he and Ravindra pummelled the bowlers for an emphatic win which also provided an early boost to their net run-rate.
“It was a disappointing day,” admitted England captain Jos Buttler. “We were very much outplayed by New Zealand but it’s still just one loss in a long tournament.”
Earlier, fast bowler Matt Henry returned figures of 3/48 for New Zealand while spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips took two wickets each.
Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow gave England a brisk start but Malan fell, caught behind off Henry and Bairstow’s knock was cut short by Santner, who got the batsman out for 33 off his left-arm spin.
Harry Brook took on Ravindra in the left-arm spinner’s first over to smash two fours and a six before the bowler had his revenge on the final delivery.
Brook, coming into the starting line-up for Stokes, attempted another big hit and was caught at deep mid-wicket.
Root reached his 37th ODI half-century off 57 balls, an innings laced with two fours and one six off a reverse scoop shot.
But he fell to Phillips’ off-spin while attempting a reverse sweep and England slipped further before Adil Rashid (15) and Mark Wood (13) ensured the team played out their 50 overs with an unbeaten stand of 30.
Women’s World Cup star Linda Caicedo was “tired” when she went down clutching her chest in training, Colombia coach Nelson Abadia said, and may not play against Germany on Sunday.
The 18-year-old Real Madrid forward was at the centre of a health scare on Thursday when she stopped running and lay on the ground holding her chest.
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Abadia on Saturday called it “an episode of tiredness, a bit of stress over her debut in a senior World Cup”.
“It was just an episode and she is ok now,” he added.
“Linda has overcome the event.
“Whether she will play, we have 24 hours or a bit more to decide.
“She is a very important player for football and for us in our game plan.”
Caicedo, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago but made a full recovery, is a rising star of women’s football.
She scored in Colombia’s opening 2-0 win over South Korea in her World Cup debut this week.
Colombia face two-time former World Cup champions Germany in Sydney with a place in the last 16 in Australia and New Zealand in sight.
Linda Caicedo collapsed during a training session. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP
REAL REASON BEHIND FIFA BOSS’ MID-WWC DASH REVEALED
The reason behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s mad dash from the Women’s World Cup has been revealed after he popped up in the Cook Islands.
According to Sky News, Infantino was revealed to have left the Women’s World Cup after just five matchdays and gone to Tahiti after the outlet tracked the movements of a private jet known to be used by the FIFA boss.
However, news has since emerged of why Infantino departed the Women’s World Cup early as he became the first FIFA president to visit the Cook Islands.
Infantino’s visit was in relation to the FIFA Forward program where funds are being used to boost the profile of football in countries across Oceania.
“I am delighted to be in the beautiful Cook Islands, where you see everyone is crazy about football,” Infantino said.
“This is particularly evident as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is currently taking place, is also the World Cup of the whole of Oceania and a great celebration across all of the Pacific Islands.”
Infantino is reportedly set to make his way to Australia for a number of the remaining group stage games before he continues to visit a number of other Oceania member nations.
He’ll then return to New Zealand and Australia for the remainder of the tournament.
Womens’ World Cup Schedule – 29th July (All times AEST)
Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum has leapt to the defence of embattled Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson after the latter threw a defender up top in the dying stages of their Group B encounter on Thursday night.
Down 3-1 and desperately chasing the game, Gustavsson took winger Cortnee Vine off and replaced her with veteran centre back Clare Polkinghorne in the 82nd minute.
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With Polkinghorne on the field, Gustavsson then decided to send Alanna Kennedy, who had operated at centre-back up until that point, as a striker.
It was a tactical move that had many fans scratching their heads, although Kennedy went on to score a late goal that unfortunately proved to be nothing more than a consolation in a 3-2 defeat.
However, Waldrum backed Gustavsson for the eyebrow-raising switch.
“Depending on the qualities of that defender and you’re chasing a game and you need something, I think as a coach, you have to make whatever decision you can to try and get back in the match,” Waldrum said in his post-match press conference.
“You guys asked me a day or so ago about the criticism of me playing players out of position. And I said, ‘It’s only out of position in your eyes.’
“The coach sees them every day in training and the coach knows what’s going on in camp.
“I would say if you need to chase the game and that player you think can make a difference, then for whatever reason, then I think you do it.”
Gustavsson came under fire for a number of his tactical choices in the Matildas’ loss to Nigeria on Thursday. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ARGENTINA PULL OFF THRILLING COMEBACK TO DENY SOUTH AFRICA ALL-TIME FIRST
Romina Nunez scored the equaliser as Argentina roared back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with South Africa at the Women’s World Cup on Friday, denying them a landmark first-ever win at the tournament.
South Africa appeared to be cruising to a first ever win in five matches at the World Cup after goals by Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana either side of halftime in Dunedin.
However, Argentina pulled one back via a stunning Sophia Braun strike in the 74th minute and then drew level five minutes later when Nunez headed home.
Appearing at their fourth World Cup, Argentina have still never won in 11 attempts but this draw gives them hope going into their final match in Group G.
After losing their opening matches in New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa both now have one point.
Favourites Sweden and Italy both have three points before playing each other in Wellington on Saturday, before a decisive final round of games on August 2.
South Africa threw away a lead and then conceded the decisive goal in the last minute as they lost 2-1 to Sweden in their opening match at the tournament.
And Banyana Banyana let slip a golden opportunity to break their World Cup duck here having initially overcome the loss of captain Refiloe Jane to injury in the first half.
Romina Nunez celebrates her equaliser for Argentina with Sophia Braun. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
She was taken off on a stretcher, with Kgatlana taking the armband. Kgatlana, who recovered from a ruptured achilles tendon to be fit for the World Cup, set up the opener when she ran away from the Argentina defence and squared for Motlhalo to score after half an hour.
The Argentina players stopped tracking back, convinced Kgatlana was offside in the build-up, and the flag did initially come up.
However, the goal was given on review and South Africa were in front. Paulina Gramaglia hit the bar with a cross-cum-shot for Argentina before Kgatlana put the ball in the net again in first-half stoppage time, but this time the goal was ruled out for offside.
Chances came at either end in the second half but South Africa appeared to be out of sight when Jermaine Seoposenwe’s low centre was turned in by Racing Louisville forward Kgatlana just after the hour mark.
Argentina looked down and out but they were given hope when Braun beat goalkeeper Kaylin Swart with a fantastic strike, controlling a clearance and letting fly from 25 metres out.
Five minutes later they drew level as Yamila Rodriguez crossed for fellow substitute Nunez to head in and make it 2-2.
Women’s World Cup Schedule — July 28 (ALL TIMES IN AEST)
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has pointed to the strong analytics behind Australia’s performance as reasons to believe in his side after their shock 3-2 World Cup loss to Nigeria.
The tournament hosts are on the brink of a shock group stage exit after giving up a 1-0 lead to the world No.40 side, and lowest-ranked nation in its group.
While the Matildas created plenty of chances, even without first-choice attackers Sam Kerr (who will be a match-day proposition against Canada) and Mary Fowler, they leaked goals in the second half and made brutal mistakes under pressure.
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In effect Australia must beat Canada on Monday night in Melbourne to stay in the tournament, or else draw and hope for Nigeria to lose to Ireland.
Celebration to shock! Matildas stunned | 00:47
Speaking on Seven post-game, Gustavsson was full of praise for many aspects of the Matildas’ performance.
“If you look at the performance, if you look at the stats, we should walk off the field to win this game. Look at all the chances we created, if we’re a little bit more clinical – but again, we scored two goals and can get off winning,” he said.
“A couple of second balls scenario, all three goals they score is us losing second balls, we know that was going to be massive in this game … and unfortunately, tonight it cost us three goals when losing a lot of second balls in those situations.
“But I think also it’s important for me to be strong enough emotionally now to see that this performance was not a 3-2 loss, if you look at performance per se.”
Asked if the loss was “a by-product” of the chaos inside Socceroos camp, with three injuries suffered over the last week including two concussions at training ahead of the Nigeria game, Gustavsson responded: “Well, if the performance was very poor, I would say it was, but the performance wasn’t poor.
“And you know, a lot of people had questions how we’re going to create chances with a lot of attacking options gone. But if you look at the xG (expected goals), and look at all the chances we’re creating, we’re almost double the amount of final third in this game than our normal average, we’re double the normal amount of time in the opponent’s box.
“So in that sense, I don’t think that was the reason. There’s other reasons that we’ll lose this game.”
Emily van Egmond’s opener in the first half was cancelled out within minutes as Nigeria racked up three unanswered goals to get their first win of the tournament.
Unsurprisingly, those three goals were not the only things that went unanswered as several Australian football fans and pundits were left scratching their heads at a number of coach Tony Gustavsson’s in-game decisions.
Foxsports.com.au analyses the key moments of the game in Matildas Talking Points!
What do you do when you just can’t score despite 41 crosses, 26 shots, and more than twice as many completed passes as your opponent?
Well, Australia’s Plan B felt like something more akin to Sunday-league football: put on some tall targets in the box and bomb balls in their direction.
Sure, it eventually delivered a goal – in the 10th minute of stoppage time, no less – but for a team that is targeting a maiden World Cup trophy, it seemed an approach born of desperation rather than any tactical nous.
Not to say that it is not a legitimate tactic – Alanna Kennedy and Clare Polkinghorne, two of Australia’s veteran centre defenders, both are aerial weapons who have scored plenty of set piece goals in their time.
Tony Gustavsson referenced in his press conference that the tactic has worked for the Matildas during his tenure, with a late comeback win against New Zealand after throwing Kennedy into the box.
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Kennedy was thrown forward in the dying stages of the game. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
But the Matildas have a long history of losing composure and their structure in high-pressure tournament situations, such as in prior World Cups or in the disastrous defeat to South Korea early in the Asian Cup last year.
Against Nigeria, the Matildas lost their heads immediately after scoring the opener – with Caitlin Foord copping a yellow card hardly thirty seconds later, before the team being caught out with some sloppy defence in the handful of minutes that remained in first-half stoppage time.
Given the exceptional quality at the Matildas’ disposal – even with some star names stuck on the bench – surely there was a better way of breaking down a resolute Nigeria defence?
Especially since, in the two years under Tony Gustavsson, he has repeatedly spoken of prioritising creating more scoring opportunities from open play.
Gustavsson fielded four different formations against Ireland to adapt to the changing situation in the match.
Against Nigeria, his decision to turn to hoof-and-hope football only led to the Matildas’ desperation increasing and their composure slipping away.
Foord has struggled to shine up front for the Matildas at this World Cup. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ANY DANGER OF A SUBSTITUTION?
With Australia down 3-1 in the 72nd minute, it became quickly clear the host nation needed an injection of something, anything off the bench to wrestle back control of the contest from Nigeria.
Even after Nigeria had bundled the ball over for their second in the 65th minute, social media was abuzz with football fans and pundits calling for Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson to turn to his bench.
Yet it wasn’t until the 82nd minute when Gustavsson made his first change of the game.
Even then, it was one that left many scratching their heads as the Swede took winger Cortnee Vine off and replaced her with Clare Polkinghorne, a centre back.
With Polkinghorne on, Gustavsson then threw fellow centre back Alanna Kennedy up front as a physical presence to win the ball in the air and help bring her teammates into play.
Gustavsson made his second substitution of the game in the 85th minute when he took off winger Hayley Raso and replaced her with Alex Chidiac, an attacking midfielder.
Although Kennedy went on to score a late consolation and Chidiac provided an attacking spark that was lacking in the second half, it was ultimately not enough to swing the contest in the Matildas’ favour.
Speaking after the game and with the benefit of hindsight, Gustavsson conceded he will have to reflect as to whether his subs were made too late given he saw the positive impact they had.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was left to rue how late he left it to make his substitutions. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“In terms of the late subs, it’s something I need to look at as a coach, did I find the right time for the subs tonight,” Gustavsson said in his post-match press conference.
“We did get a massive effect positively when we did it. Did we get that because I did it in the right moment, or should I have done it earlier and we could have played longer with that positive effect.
“It’s something that I’m going to review afterwards. But I do think that the players were really prepared for what we wanted to do.”
Gustavsson’s special praise for Chidiac perhaps hinted he already knows he turned to his bench too late.
“I think Chids came in and was that game changer,” Gustavsson said.
“She was upset that she didn’t score but I said, ‘Hey, you were brilliant Chids when you came in, you were that game changer that we practised.’ She did exactly what she was asked to do.”
Which all begs the question: why did Gustavsson wait so, so long to freshen things up on the park?
According to the man himself, the team seemed to be humming along and didn’t want to shake things up for the sake of it.
“I think some of the players on the park were actually performing pretty well, we had the momentum,” Gustavsson said.
“Sometimes when you want to make a sub, you don’t want to disrupt the momentum in the game. I thought we had a good momentum going.”
With Gustavsson fully aware of the consequences for holding out too long when pondering if it’s time to make a substitution, it can’t happen again when they face Canada on Monday.
Alex Chidiac provided an attacking spark when coming on as a late substitute. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)Source: AFP
THE BIG KERR ‘WHAT IF’ AS AUSTRALIA WAITS FOR VITAL FITNESS TEST
When Sam Kerr was ruled out with a calf injury ahead of the opener against Ireland, she would miss the first game and the Nigeria clash before being reassessed ahead of the game against Canada.
Gustavsson and just about every Australian football fan would have hoped the Matildas would take to the field against Canada with a spot in the knockout stages already sealed, meaning Kerr wouldn’t even need to be risked.
But with one win and one loss and victory very much required against the Olympic gold medallists on Monday, the spotlight on Kerr and her injury prognosis has intensified.
The Matildas boss kept his cards close to his chest during the post-match press conference, revealing that all parties will sit down and devise a plan for Kerr if she is fit.
Which, at this stage, is a very big if.
“Of course she will (insist on playing),” Gustavsson said.
“That’s going to be her mindset and that’s what I love with Sam. She’s going to do anything she can to be out there, I know that.
Sam Kerr’s fitness is going to be a hot topic going into the Canada game. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)Source: AFP
“She wants to be out there and she deserves to be out there. If she can be out there, she will be out there.
“We just need to plan for 90 minutes together if she’s available. I’m saying if, now.
“We need to come up with a plan together with the staff, together with Sam to see what’s the best to maximise the potential minutes she has going into this game if she’s available.”
If Kerr is passed fit for the Canada clash, it is highly unlikely she will start and would play as an impact substitution off the bench.
But, as we’ve seen in the opening two games, a Matildas team without Kerr lacks that killer instinct up front that she provides.
It’s also had an effect on Caitlin Foord, who has looked so devastating when partnered next to the Chelsea superstar but has struggled to effect games against Ireland and Nigeria.
Australians across the nation will be crossing their fingers and toes in the hope Kerr can overcome her calf issue.
If not, it could spell disaster for the Matildas.
Kerr will hope to play some sort of role in the Matildas’ final Group B game. (Photo by Elsa – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)Source: Supplied
BIG GAMBLE COMES BACK TO BITE
When Tony Gustavsson selected his 23 players to challenge for the World Cup crown on home soil, there was plenty of experience and cover at every position – until injuries struck down two key attacking weapons in Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler.
Kerr suffered a calf injury before the opener against Ireland and has not played the first two games, and there are fears she will not return until much later in the tournament.
Her natural replacement up front was Fowler, who started alongside Arsenal attacker Caitlin Foord in a double striker formation against Ireland.
Then Fowler suffered a concussion (as well as defender Aivi Luik) two days before the Nigeria match, leaving the Australian attacking depth substantially weakened.
The obvious pick to take over was Kyah Simon – except the 32-year-old has not played for club and country since tearing her ACL in October. She is on an individual training program and still far from full fitness, with even a substitute appearance against Canada unlikely.
When selecting the attacker, Gustavsson knew that Simon would not be available until later in the tournament. This would not have been such a problem, until those unfortunate injuries to two key cogs in the Australian attack.
It throws Gustavsson’s decision to select Simon over a fully-fit attacker like 23-year-old Remy Siemsen (Leicester City, six Matildas caps) into stark relief. Siemsen was named in the extended Matildas squad and trained with the team in the fortnight before the tournament before being cut as Gustavsson sharpened his squad to the maximum of 23.
Kyah Simon is yet to be passed fit for any Matildas game just yet. Pics Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
The result was Gustavsson bringing on veteran centre-back Clare Polkinghorne as a substitute and throwing centre-back Alanna Kennedy into centre-forward as a target in the box.
While she scored in the tenth minute of stoppage time, it proved too little too late.
The Swedish mastermind says he chose Simon as a “game-changer” later in the tournament and for her “experience and her personality”.
“I’m never going to regret picking Kyah,” he said Wednesday. “I picked her for different reasons.
“One was we knew she was going to have limited minutes. But her game-changer quality was what we picked her for and what she showed in training last couple of weeks before selection was amazing. We knew it was a risk, but you never know what it’s going to be like.
“The other thing is what she contributed to the group in the locker room and off the pitch with her experience and her personality, but also coming in big-pressure moments, for example extra-time and a PK [penalty kick] shootout.”
Fowler and Luik are in a race against time to complete concussion protocols before the final group game, while Kerr’s availability will not be revealed until the day before the Matildas face Canada – if not on game day.
If they don’t make it, Simon’s selection might turn out to be a bad bet.
