The Qantas Matildas ended their five-match preparations for the World Cup with a 2-0 loss to Canada this morning (Aust time) at Richardson Stadium in Kingston, Ontario.
Despite the result, Australia put up their best performance of the Pre-World Cup tour, particularly in the first half, although were unable to convert that into goals. They then paid the price for two mistakes from which Canada scored a quick pair of goals midway through the second term.
The Qantas Matildas now head to Los Angeles tomorrow in readiness for their first match of the FIFA Women's World Cup on Sunday 21 September against Russia.
Canada, with a world ranking of 12 (three above Australia), now enter the World Cup with an impressive record of ten matches without defeat ' nine wins and a draw.
"This was a game that got away from us," said National Coach Adrian Santrac. "The first half was the best we have performed on tour ' the game should have been over at half-time. But it's no good creating chances if we don't take them. We left the door open and in the second half, Canada scored from two basic errors of judgement, and we weren't able to recover. The first half at times was outstanding and there are many positives to be drawn out of this performance."
The Qantas Matildas lined up again without key defender Dianne Alagich, still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Canada, as expected, were very physical from the opening whistle, but the Australians did not allow that to be a distracting factor and kept to their game plan. The Australian defence led by Rhian Davies, Cheryl Salisbury, and goalkeeper Cassandra Kell denied the home side any clear chances on goal for the first half-hour, after which the Qantas Matildas were able to assert more authority in attack before the break.
Australia's best chance of the match was the result of a dangerous Sacha Wainwright cross which caused problems for the Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. In the ensuing scramble, Gill Foster had a shot on goal but the ball was cleared off the line by a defender. A minute later, Heather Garriock was sent through with some fine lead-up work by Australia, but her attempt went to the keeper.
Another two minutes later, Canada had a great chance to claim the lead, but the strike flew over the bar. Australia continued to push forward, Garriock in with another shot which was blocked on its way to goal, to end the first 45 minutes scoreless.
Canada lifted in the second half to create more chances on goal. Five minutes in, Canada had a goal disallowed for offside, with substitute Australian keeper Melissa Barbieri then denying Kara Lang with a good diving save in a one-on-one situation in the 60th minute.
In the 71st minute, Canada broke the deadlock when veteran superstar Charmaine Hooper headed home a Kristina Kiss corner kick at the far post. The lead was doubled just two minutes later from an Australian mishap. Playing the ball out from the back, an Australian defender tripped over, allowing Rhian Wilkinson to slam the ball into the back of the net. Australia had a last minute chance to score but the promising attack ended with a Joanne Peters effort which flew wide of the mark.