Ventured out to Bossley Park last night for the all female Australia Cup game. But alas I didn't use my media pass to gain access to the shower block after the match!
The game was marred as a match by some chronically bad refereeing by Tammy Ogsten. She basically lost control after both sides were guilty of some poor tackling but instead of issuing both sides with cards she seemed to focus on the visitors leaving them at the end of 90 minutes with 9 players and 8 at the finish. It was THE worst refereeing performance I have seen. Basic stuff like players leaving the field was disregarded. On three seperate occassions Italian players left the field for treatment without referee permission. Several times she erred with bad calls for throw-ins inciting both teams while her linesmen on several occassions were unisghted when it came to offsides which didn't hep her cause.
Australia were poor - very poor. Coach Greg Brown has a LOT to answer for. When they held the numerical advantage they seemed reluctant to push forward instead preferring to thump long balls at their two dimunitive strikers in Murray and Peters. The Italian defence lapped it up all evening and their height advantage at the back made this type of play stupid.
Even when the crowd got behind them in the final 15' of extra time they seemed lethargic and without direction. Only Alison Forman and Bridgette Starr showed any real endeavour that is until Starr was injured and replaced. Brown still kept his numerical advantage of three at the back even though all 8 Italian girls were clearly grouped in defence. How Australia could have won the game with that style is beyond me.
Once the game went down to penalties it was always going to be to Italys advantage. They controlled the game for nearly its duration even with 8 players and they deserved a result. All in all a VERY interesting night. I would go again to see the Matildas but their brans trust needs a good kick in the pants if this team is to be competitive in the World Cup.