The Matildas’ participation in the SheBelieves Cup ended on a disappointing note, with the team concluding the tournament winless after falling to Colombia 2-1 on Wednesday. This marked Australia’s debut in the annual four-nation tournament held by the United States, where the Matildas struggled significantly, finishing without any points.
The squad had hoped to build some momentum against Colombia after narrowly losing to both Japan and the USA, but instead faced another uphill battle. Throughout the tournament, the Matildas scored just two goals and conceded eight, illustrating their struggle to compete consistently at this level.
Interim coach Tom Sermanni acknowledged the disappointing finale but maintained his players’ resolve, stating they were “completely focused on the game” even amid controversy. His remarks came after outrage erupted following offensive comments made by Triple M radio host Marty Sheargold, who claimed he would rather “hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch” women’s soccer. After the backlash, Sheargold and the station parted ways, with Sporadically noting, “It was typically unnecessary and outrageously disrespectful.”
Sermanni joined federal sports minister Anika Wells and others in condemning Sheargold’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of treating women’s sports with respect. “Our team is obviously very high-profile, and as with any sporting teams, we’re used to criticism,” he said. “But sometimes the comments cross the line and those comments definitely did.” His statements underscored the need for continual support for women’s sports.
On the pitch, the Matildas aimed to bounce back from recent defeats against formidable opponents. Unfortunately, Colombia took control early, with captain Catalina Usme finding the back of the net just 15 minutes past kickoff, following a swift counter-attack capitalizing on a Matildas midfield turnover. Despite goalkeeper Teagan Micah's earlier brilliant save, the Matildas were caught off guard once again.
Despite falling behind early, the Matildas’ resilience flared through after Hayley Raso equalized with her 69th-minute goal, showcasing Australia’s potential amid their turbulent run. Her goal came as the result of deflection following impressive collaboration with teammates Mary Fowler and Charli Grant. Raso’s strike initially buoyed the team’s spirits, indicating they might seize momentum.
Unfortunately, Colombia quickly retook the lead just three minutes later, as Usme’s shot, deflected off Tash Prior, restored their advantage. From there, the South Americans expertly controlled the match tempo, preventing the Australians from finding the equalizer again. The Matildas had opportunities, but they failed to convert chances, which became emblematic of their struggles throughout the Cup.
The match's closing minutes felt particularly cruel, as Australia pressed for opportunities but remained stymied. With Colombia holding possession and running down the clock effectively, the Matildas were unable to salvage even a draw from their efforts.
Sermanni’s strategy leading up to the match featured significant lineup changes aimed at managing player fitness across multiple leagues. “We said before we were going to shuffle the squad around for various reasons, particularly to make sure the players go back healthy,” he explained prior to the match. For this tournament, promising players like Caitlin Foord and Fowler started on the bench as part of the adjustments, likely hoping to preserve their sharpness for future competitions.
The Matildas’ loss to Colombia, their first meeting ever against this opponent, emphasized their challenging tournament experience. Like the other teams they faced, Colombia brought its own distinctive style. Sermanni previously noted, “They've got outstanding players and have their own rhythm and way of playing, which offers different challenges versus teams like Japan and the USA.”
Overall, the SheBelieves Cup left the Matildas with no points and much to reflect upon moving forward. Their inability to secure victories not only highlights gaps to be addressed within the squad but also poses questions about their preparedness for upcoming competitions.