World No. 2 Germany handed the Matildas a 5-2 defeat in a friendly match at Brita-Arena in Wiesbaden in the early hours of Sunday morning (AEST).
The clash was the national women’s team’s first hit out in 295 days, as well as new coach Tony Gustavsson’s first game in charge.
An Australian outfit that lacked cohesion struggled to maintain possession and were unable to create many clear-cut chances despite netting twice.
In the tenth minute, after the Matildas failed to deal with a quick attacking move by the Germans, Sjoeke Nusken punished the less than impressive defending to open the scoring.
The Matildas also struggled to make a good start after coming out of the sheds at halftime, conceding just a couple of minutes into the second half when Kathrin Hendrich, who was left all on her lonesome at the back post, got on the end of a pinpoint cross from Sara Dabritz.
Eighteen-year-old debutant Jule Brand then got on the scoresheet for the Germans’ third and notched an assist on Laura Freigang’s goal that made it four-nil.
Linda Dallmann rounded out the scoring for the home side with a nice shot.
Emily Gielnik took advantage of a mix-up at the back by Germany with an 82nd minute strike and put away a free header in injury time but her brace was mere consolation for Australia.
Australia was missing key players including Stephanie Catley and Ellie Carpenter.
Those plying their trade in the W-League were not eligible for selection due to COVID protocols, although most regular Matildas departed the Australian domestic league before the start of the current season.
The Fox Sports feed – a retransmission of the host broadcast – did not display a score graphic until late into the first half. An in-house graphic was added to the top-left corner of the screen by the 38th minute.
Let’s hope the broadcast of this afternoon’s Big Blue W-League grand final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, which will also be screened live by public broadcaster ABC, doesn’t suffer from any such glitches.
Gustavsson’s side’s next opportunity to prepare for this year’s Olympic Games comes against the Dutch side in the early hours of Wednesday morning (AEST) at Goffertstadion in Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Grem
Roar Rookie
A poor result - we'll see how they go at Tokyo.
John
No they didn't improve, 5-0 v Netherlands. The Matildas are definitely in the 2nd tier of World football.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
There is no doubt that a 'changing of the guard' is about to take place. E van E is sadly out of touch, but lets see what the coach can do to help her, if she wants to be helped that is. Mary Fowler surprised me in midfield, her passes were a little off, but her running had the Germans on their toes early. Foord is on fire at Arsenal and is well thought of in the WSL, so to see her so flat, is a little bit strange. Some new names to get use to I am sure and TG is a smart guy, so would of seen the Grand-Final by now, and would of been impressed by a couple of players. I'm not at all disappointed with how things went, would I liked to have won, certainly, but as TG said it is a 'Reality Check' and nothing more. I expect more of the same against Holland on Wednesday morning.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
It must be Alen Stajcic’s fault. Oh that’s right, he’s not there any more.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
It was a gripping arm wrestle of a game. My daughter said at 110 minutes - "Please, please, someone score, I think I will freeze solid if it goes to penalties". Unfortunately her prayer was answered at the wrong end! Victory [how the pretention of that name always irritates me] were the better team, but Sydney defended desperately and Whyman was tremendous in goals. SFC had enough play to make good chances to score, but lacked composure with the final pass. And Polias had a rare off day with her set piece delivery. On what I have seen this season of both players, De Vanna should be in the Matildas ahead of Foord. De Vanna still has her control and speed, and plays for the team, unlike Foord, who appears to be oblivious to everyone else. And Cooney Cross must also have a good shout for midfield, certainly ahead of Van Egmond.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
Totally agree about van Egmond. However I don't agree about the game being a waste of time. We got to see that Raso is absolutely unsuited to play fullback, that Polkinghorne was sadly off the pace, and that Foord's game intelligence has not improved. On the plus side however, Mary Fowler's touch and awareness are wonderful and she looks completely at home at this level, and Beatrice Goad coped well in her debut. And there has been the training camp and a further game to come; the coach needs this time to get to know his players, and see how they cope against top opposition
David Shilovsky
Expert
Was a great finish. Disappointing as a Sydney fan, but congrats to Victory.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
On the subject of women's football, very disappointing that the Roar site did not see it fit to cover the W-League grand final which was held today and which went to ET in a very exciting climax to the season.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
I can recall that back in the 2000 Olympics, Germany was a 3 goal better team than the Matildas. I expect that gap has probably been only marginally closed over the last 20 years or so. Currently our NT players are a bit spread out and with COVID it probably makes it very difficult for the coach to bring the squad together.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Van Egmond is so slow, so unable to defend and so unfit, its hard to believe and not even any good otherwise. No point playing a friendly with a limited number of players its a waste of time.
David Shilovsky
Expert
The Milicic signing was always going to be a stopgap for the Olympic campaign. Hopefully Gustavsson isn't brought down by whatever backroom politics were Staj's undoing.
Tigertown
Guest
That’s the THIRD coach in three years for the Matilda’s football team.
Nick Symonds
Guest
I reckon their biggest challenge is to not die of old age: "Gustavsson described the ugly defeat as a “reality check” for his team, just months out from the 20201 Tokyo Olympics." - https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/matildas-annihilated-by-germany-in-brutal-reality-check/news-story/fca06a36c7c23061313579e3d04ad799
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Em Gielnik and Clare Polikhorne skipped the W League two weeks back, to get to this game. Probably the best result for this team.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Always nice to win any game but these friendlies are glorified training sessions. Hopefully the Matildas can start to gel, even without their full squad. With a game under their belt they'll go better against The Netherlands.