Colombia ensure Matildas lose all three SheBelieves Cup games
The Matildas’ miserable SheBelieves Cup campaign has ended on a frustrating low note, with Ellie Carpenter injured as Australia lost 2-1 to Colombia to finish last in the four-team invitational tournament.
The same day Football Australia celebrated a year to go until the Asian Cup on home soil, the Matildas, still without a permanent head coach, slumped to their third defeat in a week.
Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat in San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium followed a 2-1 loss to the United States and 4-0 thumping at the hands of Japan — in a tournament meant to be ideal preparation for the Asian Cup.
Carpenter, who played 90 minutes in the first two games, was substituted with an apparent quad issue late in the first half.
Tony Gustavsson’s permanent successor won’t be in charge for Australia’s next games in April, with Football Australia chief executive James Johnson confirming interim coach Tom Sermanni will take the reins against South Korea.
Wendy Bonilla’s cracking strike in the 15th minute gave Colombia the lead before Hayley Raso’s deflected strike — Australia’s only shot on target — equalised in the 69th.
But Catalina Usme scored the winner four minutes later with a deflected long-range shot.
Sermanni fielded an experienced team and Emily van Egmond looped an opportunistic chance just wide in the third minute.
Teagan Micah, selected ahead of Mackenzie Arnold, made an excellent one-handed save to deny Leicy Santos in the seventh minute.
Shortly after, a poor turnover from Katrina Gorry proved costly as Linda Caicedo nipped in, working the ball to Mayra Ramírez, who turned on a dime and launched a wonderful cross-field ball into the path of Bonilla. The winger burst forward and rifled a wonderful strike past a diving Micah.
Michelle Heyman should have equalised in the 21st minute when Van Egmond put her through on goal. But the veteran striker dithered on the ball, allowing Colombia goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo to get a hand in.
Two minutes later, Gorry intercepted a stray pass and squared the ball for Kyra Cooney-Cross, who had one shot blocked then fired her rebound wide.
Sermanni turned to Caitlin Foord at half-time and she ripped a strike wide in the 54th minute.
The Australians struck when Charlotte Grant and Mary Fowler combined beautifully down the left before Raso barged through the Colombia defence to force a shot home.
But the Matildas were brought undone four minutes later by Usme.
Micah made a big save to deny Caicedo at the death.
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Colombia
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Game Information
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| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 6 |
| United States | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
| Australia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 0 |
| Colombia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 0 |
After the Matildas conceded early once again, to Wendy Bonilla’s excellent strike, Hayley Raso’s typically tenacious equaliser midway through the second half ultimately came to nought as the South American side, with a degree of fortune, settled the game thanks to Catalina Usme’s heavily-deflected strike on 73 minutes.
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Ellie Carpenter injured as Matildas end SheBelieves Cup without a win
The Matildas’ miserable SheBelieves Cup campaign has ended on a frustrating low note with Australia’s 2-1 loss to Colombia to finish last in the invitational tournament.
The same day Football Australia celebrated a year to go until the Asian Cup on home soil, the Matildas, still without a permanent head coach, slumped to their third defeat in a week.
Colombian captain Catalina Usme celebrates her goal in front of Emily Van Egmond and Mary Fowler.
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GETTY IMAGES
Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat in San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium followed a 2-1 loss to the United States and 4-0 thumping at the hands of Japan, in a tournament meant to be ideal preparation for the Asian Cup.
The loss was aggravated by injuries including one suffered by Ellie Carpenter. Carpenter, who played 90 minutes in the first two games, was substituted with an apparent quad issue late in the first half. Speaking after the match, interim coach Tom Sermanni said the injury was very minor.
“She’s OK. We knew that she was going to play a maximum of 45 [minutes] … and she just felt that her hamstring was becoming a little bit tight and [took] herself off,” he said, saying that the defender was just being “sensible”.
Tony Gustavsson’s permanent successor won’t be in charge for Australia’s next games in April, with FA chief executive James Johnson confirming Sermanni will take the reins against South Korea. When asked after today’s match whether he had any desire to remain as permanent Matildas coach, Sermanni said: “Absolutely not.”
Teagan Micah, again selected ahead of Mackenzie Arnold, made an excellent one-handed save to deny Leicy Santos in the seventh minute.
But shortly after, a poor turnover from Katrina Gorry proved costly as Linda Caicedo nipped in, working the ball to Mayra Ramirez, who turned on a dime and launched a wonderful cross-field ball into the path of Bonilla.
The winger burst forward and rifled a wonderful strike past a diving Micah in the 15th minute and put Colombia 1-0 ahead.
Michelle Heyman should have equalised in the 21st minute when Emily van Egmond put her through on goal, but the veteran striker dithered on the ball, allowing Colombia goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo to get a hand in.
The Australians struck when Charli Grant and Mary Fowler combined beautifully down the left before Raso barged through the Colombian defence to force a shot home – Australia’s only shot on target – to equalise in the 69th minute.
The level playing field was short-lived when the Matildas were brought undone four minutes later by Usme.
A series of time-consuming late injuries from the Colombian side caused frustration for Sermanni, who said officials were “at the mercy of the player”.
The US and Japan will meet at 2.30 pm (AEDT) to decide the cup’s winner.
With AAP
Montoya is shown a yellow card as a frustrated Gorry stands over her. Foord picks Colombian goalkeeper Giraldo off the ground in frustration when the goalkeeper stays down after stopping an Australian shot on goal.
Fowler takes one last opportunity, but it’s intercepted by Caicedo and Colombia have one last chance to punish Australia but Micah makes the save.
The game enters its 101st minute and finally, the whistle blows. Australia lose for the third time in a row and come fourth and last in the SheBelieves Cup.
Final score: Australia 1-2 Colombia
Boos from the stadium follow a foul on Colombia by Fowler.
Another free quick almost immediately after is given to the Matildas and Gorry takes it. Sermanni is giving last-minute instructions to the Matildas. Hunt then drags Quejada to the ground, granting Colombia a free kick. It’s a very scrappy final few minutes.
Australia 1-2 Colombia, 96 minutes
Australia defender Clare Hunt.
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GETTY IMAGES
Murphy opens the door to Caicedo who once again makes her signature sprint up the left side of the pitch but it amounts to nothing.
Colombia make two substitutions in additional time. Ramirez and Santos come off for veteran player Daniela Montoya and Ivonne Chacon.
Australia 1-2 Colombia, 92 minutes
Usme returns to the pitch still holding her abdomen. There is one minute of regular time and Foord is awarded a free kick from Caracas just outside the box.
Fowler delivers but Giraldo punches it clear. Pavi fouls Fowler for another Matildas free kick.
There will be eight minutes of additional time but Giraldo is down again with an injury.
Australia 1-2 Colombia, 90 minutes
Colombia are holding on to the ball in the final 10 minutes of the game, tormenting the Matildas who have had a disappointing run in their first SheBelieves Cup.
A mistake from Foord hands the ball over to Caicedo who is too fast for Murphy. Her shot is again blocked by Hunt and Raso breaks with the ball.
Raso hesitates and slows down when she passes Usme who is clutched over on the grass with an injury to the abdomen. Raso keeps playing but is fouled almost immediately and play stops so Usme can receive treatment.
Australia 1-2 Colombia, 87 minutes
Katrina Gorry is shown a yellow card for a late foul on Mayra Ramirez which sees the Chelsea striker on the floor and clutching her leg.
Alana Murphy replaces Kyra Cooney-Cross before Colombia take the free kick.
Australia 1-2 Colombia, 82 minutes
Mary Fowler congratulates Hayley Raso on her goal.
CREDIT:
AP
Sara Martinez is down with an injury to her right calf and a stretcher has been brought on, but she’s walking off the pitch. She’s being substituted for Camila Reyes who joins in Colombia as they defend an Australian corner.
Cooney-Cross delivers, Giraldo punches it away for another corner for the Matildas into the final 10 minutes of the game. It’s delivered straight into Giraldo’s hands.
Australia 1-2 Colombia, 80 minutes
A free kick taken by Cooney-Cross offers an opportunity for Fowler but her shot is deflected off Clare Hunt’s leg. A wasted opportunity. There’s still time for another Matildas goal but they are looking less dominant now.
Australia 1-2 Colombia, 77 minutes
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