The Matildas’ SheBelieves Cup campaign ended on a disappointing note as they lost to Colombia 2-1 on Thursday, completing their tournament with consecutive losses.
Under the guidance of interim coach Tom Sermanni, the Matildas struggled throughout the tournament, suffering defeats to Japan (4-0) and the USA (2-1) leading up to this match. Despite some adjustments, including five changes to the starting lineup, the team continued their unfortunate trend of conceding early goals and failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Colombia took control of the match early, capitalizing on defensive errors by the Matildas. Midfielder Katrina Gorry made a costly mistake, yielding possession to Colombian attacker Wendy Bonilla, who unleashed a powerful strike past goalkeeper Teagan Micah just 15 minutes in.
If it weren’t for Micah’s earlier heroics, which included a brilliant save against Leicy Santos, Colombia could have netted another goal moments later. Australia’s performance proved patchy; they appeared to struggle more than anticipated.
A potential equalizer slipped through their fingers when Michelle Heyman, granted a golden opportunity after Emily van Egmond intercepted the ball from Catalina Usme, hesitated at the goal before Colombian goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo intervened. Heyman failed to capitalize on what should have been a straightforward score.
Despite dominating possession at times, Australia’s inefficiency hampered their ability to mount effective challenges. The second half brought glimmers of hope. Hayley Raso, demonstrating her persistence on the field, eventually leveled the score at 1-1 with a well-timed shot, aided by deflection off Colombian defender Daniela Caracas. The Australian supporters briefly ignited with renewed energy as the score balanced.
But the joy was short-lived. Just four minutes later, disaster struck again for the Matildas. A deflected shot from Catalina Usme found its way past Micah following another scramble, restoring Colombia’s advantage and leaving Australia once again to chase the game.
Tom Sermanni lamented the team’s performance after the match, expressing disappointment at the recurring theme of defensive lapses throughout the tournament. "It was first completely unnecessary and globally outrageous...very, very disappointing," he noted, reflecting on the intensity of external pressures surrounding the squad.
Despite the losses, Sermanni emphasized the importance of shuffling the squad during the tournament. He said, "We said before the tournament...keep them fit," indicating his focus on player longevity rather than short-term wins. The mix of experienced and new players, he believed, is necessary as the team transitions toward the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The Matildas now face considerable pressure to turn things around after finishing last with no points from three matches. They will need to build on the lessons learned from this disappointing campaign and regroup as they prepare for the challenges and expectations of the Asian Cup.
Looking back, the SheBelieves Cup offered the Matildas a tough but necessary learning experience, testing their resolve as they aim to reshape their strategies and performances before the upcoming major tournament.