The Matildas have suffered their heaviest and most humiliating defeat in 17 months, with an inexperienced line-up thrashed 5-0 by Canada.
Nichelle Prince scored a first-half brace to send Canada on their way, with Cloe Lacasse, Simi Awujo and Adriana Leon completing the rout inside 62 minutes on Saturday (AEDT).
It was Australia’s heaviest defeat and poorest performance since a similarly inexperienced line-up suffered a 7-0 humiliation to Spain in June 2022
Tony Gustavsson had promised an experimental line-up and no players from the 4-0 Women’s World Cup win over Canada were named in the line-up.
Simi Awujo #26 of Canada and Courtney Nevin #2 of Australia battle for the ball during the first half of their friendly match at Starlight Stadium on December 01, 2023 in Langford, British Columbia. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images for Football Australia)
Sam Kerr and Mackenzie Arnold were out injured while Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross were among those benched amid heavy workloads at club level.
The starting line-up in Langford had a combined 429 caps, with 281 of those between Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop.
Charlize Rule and Sarah Hunter debuted at right-back and holding midfield and were among six players with less than 20 caps.
On a sodden artificial pitch at Starlight Stadium, the disjointed Matildas struggled to get to grips with the surface, or a brilliant Canada.
Australia were overrun in midfield and had no first-half shots to Canada’s 13 and it took just 10 minutes for the hosts to take the lead.
A heavy backpass from Rule sold Polkinghorne into trouble and as the centre-back got the ball caught under her feet, Prince pounced.
The striker pinched the ball away and coolly finished into the bottom corner.
Teagan Micah made three brilliant saves, denying Leon in the 24th and 31st minutes and Vanessa Gilles in the 27th.
But in the 43rd minute, Ashley Lawrence burst down the right and cut back to Prince, whose first-time shot beat a disappointed Micah at the near post.
Four minutes into the second half, the defending Olympic champions all but sealed victory when Hunter dawdled on the ball and Lacasse pinched it off her, burst forward and scored.
In the 55th minute, Rule’s clearing header fell to Awujo, who, under no pressure, had time to take a touch and fire home from distance.
Seven minutes later, Leon completed the rout when she drifted unmarked between a scattered defence to score.
Gustavsson turned to more experience in Fowler, Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry and Alanna Kennedy for the final half hour.
Australia had their first shot through Fowler in the 74th minute, with Kailen Sheridan making a comfortable save.
In her second-last game, retiring Canada great Christine Sinclair entered the fray in the 62nd minute.
The second friendly is in Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon (AEDT).
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
Apparently Tony is going to play a “full strength” team tomorrow night (minus the injured players who are not in the squad). Will be interesting to see how they go against a rampant Canada at home, on artificial turf in the freezing cold.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Agree re Yallop & Luik. I think their races are run. Polkinghorne also. An excellent servant for the tillies but has possibly the worst first touch I have seen from a player at that level. Makes so many errors based on that - she is not the physical machine she used to be to make up for her lack of technical ability. I loved the fact that he played the youngsters - there is a clear gap between our best 5-10 players and the rest. We need to close that. In saying that I don't think he was expecting it to be as bad as it was. They will learn! I think Sayer and Siemsen have something to offer - think you are both being a bit harsh on them. They've been in and around the NT since they were young teenagers - there is obvious talent there. I would like to see Melina Ayres in one of these squads soon. And I feel for poor Holly McNamara.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
You seem to have a thing about Remy Siemsen. Siemsen has hardly been given any opportunities to complain about. Yallop and Sayer are worse at the moment and getting the opportunities. Siemsen has some sort of speed and movement at least to offer. When Van Egmond replaced Siemsen they looked totally bereft of any movement.
chris1
Roar Rookie
And speaking of useless - how many times is Remy Siemsen going to get a run? She looks like a park player called up to the national team. I thought the last time she played would be her last but he plays her again for the same output. Not much. I'm disappointed in TG and everything Harper said was spot on.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The back pass from Rule was not heavy , it was a touch light. The players were set up by Gustavsson , his excuse makes no sense he wanted the team to start trying a new way of playing its more than a bit late for that. Why wait till your up against a tough opponent who wants revenge over a world cup defeat, on artificial turf in wet conditions and with six months to the Olympics. The first goal was conceeded because Polkinghorne didnt take the safe option of clearing the ball. An old experienced player not a young player and obviously under Gustavsson instructions. Tameka Yallop is too old should not be in the squad, performance wise in the A-league W she is average as well. Its one thing to allow players to cross but you cant afford to let players hit cut backs which is what happened for the 2nd goal. The third goal Hunter is taking a dangerous option turning towards goal in her penalty area, thats because of Gustavsson instructions play out at all costs. Fourth goal good shot by Canada. Fifth goal Liuk somehow gets done with inside position and a head start. Should not be in the squad she is too old. Amy Sayer was useless could hardly do anything she was the one who got the easy gigs recently.
Saffi
Roar Rookie
Tony, I don’t know what the point was in precipitating that overwhelming loss? My theory is that you are deliberately trying to get sacked so you can take the Swedish gig. Allowing some very talented newcomers to get smashed like that was disgraceful. It also showed disrespect to Canada, like they were a suitable side to give the kids a go! I’m not sure I want to watch the return match as it will reinforce what a mess this game was.
mrl
Roar Rookie
Jeez…that went well.