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Almost seven months ago to the day, the Matildas were completely outclassed against Japan at the World Cup in Canada, even though they kept the score to a respectable 1-0 loss. On Monday, they turned the tables spectacularly, defeating their opponents 3-1 on their own turf.
In the first of five Olympics qualifiers held in Osaka, the Matildas were irresistible. It was hard to pick any one player as a standout as a fantastic team effort saw Australia harass and harry off the ball and produce clinical execution on it.
Lisa De Vanna and Michelle Heyman opened the scoring to give the Matildas a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes, only to see Yuki Ogimi pull one back just before the break.
Yet coach Alen Stajcic produced vital substitutions at the right time in the second half as Japan exerted influence over the game and a Katrina Gorry header sealed victory 12 minutes from time.
It represents an astonishing turnaround for the women’s national team, who are fast becoming one of Australia’s most beloved sporting sides, despite obvious roadblocks.
In the previous nine encounters between the Australia and Japan, the Matildas had recorded just one victory – and that dated all the way back to the 2010 Asian Cup, a Kate Gill strike separating the teams.
Yet much has changed in the last six years, and especially in the last six months.
The playing group went on strike in September last year to push through deserved pay rises, with the FFA agreeing to give the Matildas full-time wages. That job security and extra time to concentrate on training and conditioning is already showing promising signs.
Melbourne City also entered a women’s team in the W-League, effectively turning them into the competition’s only full-time professional outfit. That step to the next level also looks like it will rub off not only on City stars but also the rest of the W-League’s players.
And finally, two of the Matildas’ most vital cogs, midfielders Emily van Egmond and Elise Kellond-Knight, spent half a season playing in the professional environment of Germany, where they trained daily with some of the world’s best stars.
The 3-1 defeat of Japan on Monday was clearly a factor of all three, as well as the increasing influence of coach Stajcic as his players become more indoctrinated into his high-pressing, possession-based brand of football mixed with traditional Australian hard yakka.
Stajcic has to be applauded for the progression he has made with the Matildas, and his elevation to full-time status in September is equally a crucial factor for the national team going forward.
The opening 20 minutes of the game in Osaka were tight, with both Heyman and Naomi Kawasaki trading early chances.
Yet it was Matildas stalwart De Vanna who fashioned the opener in the 25th minute, holding off her Japanese defender to spring high and send Katrina Gorry’s cross into the top corner.
Heyman then put the Matildas 2-0 up on 41 minutes, with De Vanna this time turning provider. A fortuitous deflection off the referee may have provided the 31-year-old veteran with possession, but De Vanna still had a lot of work to do as she drove towards goal from the centre circle.
A delicate through ball picked out a clever run from Heyman, who waltzed past keeper Erina Yamane to double the advantage.
Japan’s Ogimi struck back just before the break, however, after nice, trademark build-up from the World Cup finalists. It was a harsh blow for the Matildas, but a timely reminder of their opponent’s brutal quality.
Japan had the better chances in the second half, and Stajcic needed to get his substitutes spot on, especially considering the gruelling fixture list over the next 10 days. He produced the goods, Caitlin Foord and Kyah Simon replacing Chloe Logarzo, a surprise starter, and Heyman to give Australia vital energy.
The Matildas duly delivered the killer blow, Van Egmond showing off her exceptional distribution skills with a pin-point cross to pick out Gorry at the far post for the 4’8” to expertly nestle her header into the side-netting.
The performance was one of the best the Matildas have produced for a while, and that is saying something given their astonishing performances at last year’s World Cup.
Prior to the Olympics qualifiers, Stajcic had proclaimed that the aim was not to simply qualify, but to win the Gold Medal. On this showing, his confidence has been vindicated.
Only two teams progress in the six-team tournament, but Australia’s main rivals aside from Japan, North Korea, could only manage a 1-1 draw with close neighbours South Korea. It puts the Matildas in a very strong position to push on and qualify for the Rio Olympics.
There is still a long way to go in the qualifying campaign – five games in 10 days is easily the best leveller no matter how much quality a team possesses.
Yet hopefully the quality and drive on show is now matched with fitness levels, helped on with the slow move to a more professional setup over the past few months.
Vietnam is next on March 2, followed by South Korea on March 4. Two victories here and the Matildas head into the home stretch against world number six North Korea and world number 17 China in high spirits.
The Olympic dream is looking like a reality for the Matildas and their fans.
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