Matildas The Matildas Thread

[stax on the mull]

England have made their subs and one of them Agyemang went off on a stretcher. Beever-Jones was calling to go off before that, now she's been taken off so it's 10 vs 10 for the last part of the game.

About 4-5 minutes left.
Cooney-Cross, Foord OFF
Siemsen, Rankin ON

 

[stax on the mull]

Last minute penalty to England.

Gorry dived at the ball but didn't challenge and then afterwards, quite a bit after the ball had gone, there was a bit of follow through and the VAR picked it up and called the ref over.

3-0 England. Whistle for full time after Stanway scored the penalty.

I guess one positive is that Kennedy's red card means she won't be playing the next international vs NZ. Terrible mistake which she compounded by giving away the red and making us play with 10 vs 11 for most of the rest of the match, and she wasn't even playing as one of the defenders.

 

[stax on the mull]

 

[swingdog]

Not sure how much we can learn from that match, apart from not giving away unnecessary free kicks in dangerous positions. Playing with 10 means you have to throw your plans out the window.

 

[Pres]

Sad for Kennedy. She'd be feeling frightful. Mistakes happen but a moment of madness straight after was disastrous.

I thought England looked a bit of a class above regardless to be honest.

In terms of positives it's good to see Heatley getting a solid run at it. Wheeler looks a really improved player in the midfield. Not sure Sayer the answer just yet but worth having a look at her.

 

[stax on the mull]

Sad for Kennedy. She'd be feeling frightful. Mistakes happen but a moment of madness straight after was disastrous.

I thought England looked a bit of a class above regardless to be honest.

In terms of positives it's good to see Heatley getting a solid run at it. Wheeler looks a really improved player in the midfield. Not sure Sayer the answer just yet but worth having a look at her.

Sayer struggled a bit didn't she. Didn't get much possession and lost control of the ball a couple of times and maybe unsure of her role after the game changed being one player down.

Wheeler maybe being managed for game time in the 2nd game gave Kennedy the start. Kennedy is probably not the 1st or 2nd option. They could also bring in another left back and move Catley to centre back and play Heatley into that role as the defensive midfield.

Before the red card England had control, but there was 2-3 times where the play out from our GK went directly to them or over the sideline.

 

[stax on the mull]

Logged into Channel 10 plus for the first time in a while to make sure I'm still registered to watch the A League Women's broadcast, and I see they have the Matildas matches that were exclusive to Paramount Plus, now free to watch as replays in their archive if anyone wants to go back and look at them. I'm catching up on the Wales game atm.

 

[stax on the mull]

Carpenter and Kerr were the 2 goal scorers in Chelsea's 2-0 over London.

 

[swingdog]

Carpenter and Kerr were the 2 goal scorers in Chelsea's 2-0 over London.

Kerr's was a good example of why she is so dangerous. Mistake in the back line, punches and chips the goalkeeper.

 

[stax on the mull]

Quite similar to the squads for the Wales and England games. Kahli Johnson an inclusion this time. A bit surprised that Tameka Yallop is there as she just had her first start in the A-League (55min) for Brisbane on the weekend, and looked a bit rusty although she did score last week coming on as a substitute. Kerr wasn't named in the Chelsea squad for the game against Liverpool overnight. Haven't looked closely at how many players are in/out in terms of changes from the last squads. Jamilla Rankin might be the only player dropped from the last squad although I just read that she was a late withdrawal for her club in Germany where she plays at left back.

Now I've had a look, also Vine missing and 3rd GK Whyman for Lincoln. And Yallop is the other IN. I forgot that she wasn't named in the last squad.

IN: Yallop, Johnson and Lincoln for OUT: Rankin, Vine and Whyman.

 

[stax on the mull]

Some friendlies against Korea Republic on the 28th and 30th of November in Canberra for the Young Matildas (Under 20s) as well. Squad of 23. All except for Daniela Galic (Sweden) play locally.

Making the most of the international break, there's also some Junior Matildas (Under 17s) games on the 25th and 28th vs Thailand in Sydney and Gosford. The Junior Matildas game on Nov 28th in Gosford is the lead up match to the senior Matidlas vs NZ game.

Young Matildas squad

 

[stax on the mull]

Big time goal from Carpenter who was player of the match in Chelsea's 1-1 draw vs Barcelona in the Women's Championship League.

 

[swingdog]

Was a cracker.

 

[stax on the mull]

Only caught the last 5-10 minutes so far of the 1st half and seen the replay of the goals. We seem to be playing well. 2-0 up.

Junior Matildas had a 1-1 draw. Hard to watch the 2-0 loss other day. Aussie girls were a year younger 14yo's/15yo's and the Thai under 17 girls got to the ball quicker, where more physical with tackling and had most of the creative possession and the play. In the 2nd half with lots of substitutions, our fresher players combined and we got a couple of shots on goal and you could start to see a little glimpse of their talent.

Young Matildas U20's games are lockout matches...no coverage.

 

[stax on the mull]

Carpenter 3-0. Bad clearance after Australia were attacking around the box and ping pong ball into the box cleared straight back to Carpenter who just sent it straight back for a goal.

4-0 now in the next minute, Cooney-Cross chips the keeper from distance - similar to her 1st international goal vs Germany.

 

[stax on the mull]

5-0 just at the start of 4 minutes of stoppage. Good build up from Wheeler and McNamara who used her pace to take it to the line and cut it back to Gorry who was also in the play and got on the end of it again.

As with goals 3 & 4. Goal 5 is followed up inside a minute with a penalty. McNamara legged in the box by the diving keeper's hand.

Could have been 6 but GK saved Catley's penalty shot.

 

[stax on the mull]

Almost a goal at the end by NZ with Arnold coming out and the striker getting around her but Carpenter had time to run to the goal line and stop the shot.

5-0. Heaps of chances and shots at goal. NZ had a couple in the 2nd half. One needed saving by Arnold when the score was 2-0, and the one right at the end should have been 5-1. There were also a couple of NZ corners that weren't cleared by Arnold (one a dropped ball in the box).

Sayer, Heatley and Wheeler (subbed on) look like international players - and Heyman even though she's 37yo - she still comes on and keeps possession and holds the ball, lays it off in the path of others and chases and will win the ball back. McNamara with her speed showed a lot when she came on. Torpey looked more secure at left back than the bits I saw of Nevin who had trouble in the first hour of play countering NZ's India Page-Riley - a former junior Matilda who played some A League with the Brisbane Roar a few seasons back, and who came close to scoring with a long range shot just over the bar late in the 1st half.

Foord, Catley, Carpenter are the top liners. Cooney-Cross and Gorry on the next rung.

The rest are just parts of the team that can be replaced although 3-4 of those put their hand up in this game to be picked as starters all the time.

Kerr spent the game on the bench.

 

[stax on the mull]

Mediocre 2-0 winning performance by the Matildas, and not a great advertisement for women's football, but deserved karma for Channel 10 for their decision to only show by far the worst of the 2 games on free to air.

Feel sure the 1st goal would have been overturned if VAR was in use after Raso clattered into a NZ defender before Kennedy struck a powerful shot. Even though she was shoulder pushed into losing balance, Raso also kicked the other NZ opponent who had passed the ball out into the path of Kennedy just before both of them ended up on the ground, and this actually helped to open a corridor for Kennedy's shot. 2nd goal was a fluky, right place, right time for Raso off an uncleared corner, and kudos to Raso that it did require a good finish, but it was not a goal from creative play.

The tempo was so lacking in urgency at times with Van Egmond and Kennedy in particular playing in a pass and walk mode too often, and if there was one touch passing it tended to be taking ground backwards or sideways. Another annoying bugbear is players who let the ball roll past them and walk over it while they're making a decision as to which direction they'll go when they send it on (usually back to the player they gave it to them). I suppose it's OK if we're focusing on game management and retaining possession, but it's just so boring to watch, and it's where mistakes in midfield and defence creep in against a good team with opposition strikers that take those chances that come up suddenly while we're still in slow play mode. A better side would have likely scored out of the 2-3 clear chances NZ had.

The commentator tonight mentioned that squads of 23 are the usual for tournaments but this one may have more players eg: possibly 26? If it's 26 it probably means everyone in this squad stays.

After a good performance from the sub's bench on Friday, McNamara was not effective tonight coming on at the start of the 2nd half . Carpenter, Kerr only played a half. Kerr showcased some skillful assist touches, flicking the ball to teammates coming inside the penalty box that created opportunities but weren't finished. After missing Friday's match Hunt played the entire game and was solid at the back, particularly strong defensive headers. Johnson got about 10-15 minutes late replacing Foord.

 

[jhong]

Mediocre 2-0 winning performance by the Matildas, and not a great advertisement for women's football, but deserved karma for Channel 10 for their decision to only show by far the worst of the 2 games on free to air.

Feel sure the 1st goal would have been overturned if VAR was in use after Raso clattered into a NZ defender before Kennedy struck a powerful shot. Even though she was shoulder pushed into losing balance, Raso also kicked the other NZ opponent who had passed the ball out into the path of Kennedy just before both of them ended up on the ground, and this actually helped to open a corridor for Kennedy's shot. 2nd goal was a fluky, right place, right time for Raso off an uncleared corner, and kudos to Raso that it did require a good finish, but it was not a goal from creative play.

The tempo was so lacking in urgency at times with Van Egmond and Kennedy in particular playing in a pass and walk mode too often, and if there was one touch passing it tended to be taking ground backwards or sideways. Another annoying bugbear is players who let the ball roll past them and walk over it while they're making a decision as to which direction they'll go when they send it on (usually back to the player they gave it to them). I suppose it's OK if we're focusing on game management and retaining possession, but it's just so boring to watch, and it's where mistakes in midfield and defence creep in against a good team with opposition strikers that take those chances that come up suddenly while we're still in slow play mode. A better side would have likely scored out of the 2-3 clear chances NZ had.

The commentator tonight mentioned that squads of 23 are the usual for tournaments but this one may have more players eg: possibly 26? If it's 26 it probably means everyone in this squad stays.

After a good performance from the sub's bench on Friday, McNamara was not effective tonight coming on at the start of the 2nd half . Carpenter, Kerr only played a half. Kerr showcased some skillful assist touches, flicking the ball to teammates coming inside the penalty box that created opportunities but weren't finished. After missing Friday's match Hunt played the entire game and was solid at the back, particularly strong defensive headers. Johnson got about 10-15 minutes late replacing Foord.

Might be my imagination but Cooney-Cross looked a bit like not part of the team after the final whistle. ? Maybe disappointed she didn’t get much match time but body language looked a bit dispirited. Flat game to be honest by the team .

 

[stax on the mull]

Might be my imagination but Cooney-Cross looked a bit like not part of the team after the final whistle. ? Maybe disappointed she didn’t get much match time but body language looked a bit dispirited. Flat game to be honest by the team .

I didn't catch any of the aftermatch. I did see on some posts that she seemed like she was on a bit of a high after the match on Friday handing out a bunch of No 23 Matilda shirts to the crowd in Gosford.

Arsenal have a Saturday game against the bottom side Liverpool so maybe she was being rested for that - although most often she is a bench player, and her Arsenal teammates Foord and Catley also had big minutes in both games.

 

[Pres]

Other than a couple of defensive stuff ups I really enjoyed the first half. Watching Kerr, Foord, Carpenter and Raso in full flight was great to watch. Foord could easily have had a couple (as could the Kiwis of course).

I enjoy watching the new game style with the likes of Catley injecting herself all over the park and through the midfield.

The second half after the subs looked to be turning into a bit of a snore fest so I hit the sack.

 

[stax on the mull]

I didn't catch any of the aftermatch. I did see on some posts that she seemed like she was on a bit of a high after the match on Friday handing out a bunch of No 23 Matilda shirts to the crowd in Gosford.

Arsenal have a Saturday game against the bottom side Liverpool so maybe she was being rested for that - although most often she is a bench player, and her Arsenal teammates Foord and Catley also had big minutes in both games.

Cooney-Cross starting for Arsenal so maybe that was the reason she only got some late minutes as sub on Tuesday. Foord on the bench. Catley with the captain's armband.

 

[stax on the mull]

Had a look at that Arsenal game in full just to watch how our Matildas went.

Catley full game pretty good. More left back than centre back. Nearly got caught out once with a direct long ball but caught up with the Liverpool forward who initially pushed past her, and recovered to put the ball out before her opponent could close in on goal. Play was up the other end of the ground, so she was mostly involved in build up play when the ball was recycled back to Arsenal's defensive half. Must have been pretty close to 100% pass accuracy but not many difficult ones.

Cooney-Cross quite unobtrusive, mostly defensive midfielder and was the release back pass option when Arsenal had the action around the penalty box. Got a bit more attacking in the 2nd half before being subbed at around 65-70 mins. Just before she was subbed off she played one perfect ball through into the box that played a striker in on goal who took it too wide. Then last action was trying a long range shot that went way over the bar.

Foord subbed on about the 65-70 minute mark. One of 3 changes. Got a yellow soon after, got fouled for a yellow before the end. Muffed a couple of goal scoring chances and lost some possession pushing forward but she wasn't alone. Not a great cameo in terms of producing results but was used a lot.

Just shows when you watch the weekly grind games there's just as many missed chances and bad moments and I guess I don't feel so bad about our 2nd game against New Zealand now when I watch a team that are last season's UEFA champions and full of international players not finishing their work against a side struggling with injuries, and only just getting the winner before extra time after a lot of bad decisions and missed opportunities.

 

[stax on the mull]

News during the week that Tameka Yallop's hamstring injury is high grade, requiring surgery, and she's not expected to be available for the Asian Cup, so one spot in the squad seems to have opened up given Montemurro recently stated she was an important part of the team.

Injury heartbreak for Matildas veteran

Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop will require surgery on a serious hamstring injury, all but ending her hopes of playing at the Women's Asian Cup.

www.abc.net.au