The Australian women’s national soccer team, the Matildas, were thrashed 4-0 by Japan in their opening match of the SheBelieves Cup.
The loss was the biggest ever for the Matildas against Japan, and it exposed the significant gap between the two teams.
A Horror Show for the Matildas
The match was expected to be a close contest between the world No. 8 Japanese team and the No. 15 Aussies.
However, Japan dominated the game from start to finish, with the Matildas failing to register a single shot on goal throughout the 90 minutes.
The Japanese team, on the other hand, had numerous scoring opportunities and could have won by an even greater margin.
Commentary and Reactions
Commentators were stunned by the 2-0 deficit at halftime, with calls for the Matildas to break out of their malaise.
Host Tara Rushton described the performance as “difficult to watch,” while Aussie football veteran Andy Harper said it was “beyond less than acceptable.”
Former Matilda Grace Gill added that the team would have to “take a good hard look at themselves” after the game.
Japan’s Goals and the Matildas’ Struggles
Japan’s goals were not spectacular, but they highlighted the defensive weaknesses of the Matildas.
The first goal was scored by Mina Tanaka after a weak strike, while the second was a tap-in after a mix-up between Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy.
The Matildas were lucky not to be further behind after a near-certain header clanged off the crossbar.
Post-Game Reactions and Analysis
After the game, defender Ellie Carpenter lamented a “bad performance” and said the team needed to “regroup, refocus” for their next match against the US.
Commentators and fans were critical of the team’s performance, with many calling for a permanent coach to be appointed.
The loss exposed the “chasm” between the Japanese and Australian teams, with Harper saying that the gap was getting wider, not narrower.
What’s Next for the Matildas?
The Matildas face a tough road ahead, with matches against world No. 1 US and Colombia coming up.
They will need to regroup and refocus quickly if they are to have any chance of competing in the SheBelieves Cup.
With the Asian Cup coming up next year, the Matildas will need to improve significantly if they are to make a strong showing on home soil.