The Matildas were the next to go down at the hands of reigning World Cup champions USA in their opening Nike US Women's Cup clash today (Aust time), going down 4-0 as the Americans maintained their perfect all-time win record in the event and over Australia.
The star-studded USA controlled much of the play and had the class and experience over their opponents. Australia's spirit never waned however and put up an improved showing in the second half. The Matildas' defensive display was very solid throughout, led by the exploits of Cheryl Salisbury who on numerous occasions was equal to the task against Mia Hamm and the US attack.
Defender Anissa Tann claimed a piece of Australian soccer history in the match, becoming the first player, male or female, to play her 100th A-international. "It was just another game ' my main focus as always is on the team's performance," she said. "But it has been fantastic to play with all of my teammates over the years. Whether it's the 10th or 100th game, it's the players that make it all worthwhile."
A Gill Thomson and Joanne Peters combination created a great opportunity to claim the lead for Australia in the 11th minute, but the shot was blocked by the desperate lunge of defender Danielle Slaton.
USA opened the account in the 25th minute from a questionable penalty awarded when Cindy Parlow went down in the box after a Dianne Alagich tackle. Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, in only her second international, dived the right way, but Brandi Chastain's spot attempt went in off the post, although Barbieri almost stopped the rebound.
The home team then doubled their lead eleven minutes later, Hamm breaking up the left and passing inside to Kristine Lilly on the burst. Her touch on to Parlow was flicked into goal from close range.
USA's third came in the 59th minute, Hamm's corner was flicked on by Joy Fawcett at the near post and struck by Parlow for her second goal, the ball deflecting off a defender on its way. Shortly after, USA made five substitutions inside seven minutes.
One such substitute, Shannon MacMillan was next to find the back of the net, catching keeper Barbieri off-guard by scoring directly from the corner kick.
Australia broke forward with ten minutes remaining, Natalie Thomas, Heather Garriock and Joanne Peters combining in search of a consolation goal, but the move ended with the US keeper coming out off her line to thwart the danger. A minute later, Tann provided a dangerous ball in from the left but again the attempt was snuffed out by the keeper.
AIS/National Coach Adrian Santrac was able to take several positives from Australia's performance, saying, "The experience gained in this game was most welcome, with our players responding to the occasion."
Santrac added, "The US played some great football, but our second half in particular was very pleasing. We are continuing our development, and our improvement on this tour to date has been rapid. Even though we conceded three goals from set pieces, we defended particularly well, but we need to continue to improve on retaining possession. We showed in the second half when we kept possession that we can be a very effective team."