An embarrassed Matildas face reigning Olympic champions Canada off the back of a 5-0 defeat on Saturday, in the second of two friendlies in North America.
Prediction
It was a nightmare in Langford for the Aussies in the first of the two matches. They are certain to be better this time around, yet if coach Tony Gustavsson sticks to his mantra of giving opportunity, another less than full strength team could well be overcome by what looks a powerful Canadian squad, with some its biggest stars back to full fitness.
I’m backing a 1-1 result in a much tighter match and a few Matilda veterans to demand a starting position after the humbling loss on Saturday.
Game information
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Kick-off: 2pm (AEDT)
TV: Network 10
Streaming: 10 Play, Paramount+
Odds: Canada $1.72, Draw $3.85, Australia $4.20 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Canada
Sabrina D’Angelo, Lysianne Proulx, Kailen Sheridan, Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Jade Rose, Shelina Zadorsky, Gabrielle Carle, Sydney Collins, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere Bianca St-Georges , Simi Awujo, Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Jeneva Hernandez Gray, Quinn, Sophie Schmidt, Jordyn Huitema, Cloé Lacasse, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Christine Sinclair, Olivia Smith, Evelyne Viens
Matildas
Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley (c), Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Clare Hunt, Sarah Hunter, Alanna Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Charlize Rule, Amy Sayer, Remy Siemsen, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Lydia Williams, Jada Whyman, Tameka Yallop
James584
Roar Rookie
Not really. Very inaccurate and a lot of her passes are back.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
yes - last two were well below her best
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
friendly match, no big deal
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
won't matter Waz, Sydney teams playing in this Saturday night's FTA match
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Gorry was one of our best at the WWC
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Remember when people wanted a public holiday and a statue of the matildas
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
This match was a lot worse than the previous match in terms of misplaced passes across both teams, the errors were forced in the previous match with the Canadians all the forcing, this match you had no pressure on the ball and the ball goes straight to the opposition for no discernible reason. The heated stadium may have made it nice for the spectators but the players by the end were having brain fades. If your running around in under 10 degress in a winter you can get used to it . The Australians were generous in giveaways but the Canadian goal keeper giving it straight to Fowler that was absolutely bonkers. What is it the artificial pitch who knows, maybe heating up the stadium strange things. Also I see plenty of giveaways at the end of W-league matches and you have the super hot conditions there. The thing that is evident is Australia relies on speed down the wings, you have Raso you have Foord ,Carpenter and Vine. Playing through the lines, the B team attempts it on the ice rink in freezing conditions with Canadians pressing them like crazy, the A team goes for the ball over the top down the wings facing hardly any press.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
A lot of miss communication and hesitation. We missed Sams influence. When she is back and we have Fowler, Foord and Raso we will start scoring again
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Agree Raso our best but Gorry hasnt fired since she came back
Waz
Roar Rookie
yeah, yeah … but did you see the state of the Suncorp pitch.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Her misplaced passes were top of the pops, no aerial duels won (of course) and errors exceeded all other players. Only one reason why she has developed this underserved reputation and I think it is harming the team more broadly.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Gorry's stats at the World Cup were pretty interesting - she topped almost everything for Australia, but that unfortunately included losing the ball.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Not good all round - bit tough to call out Gorry. Central defenders Hunt esp but also Kennedy were average and gave away more balls than her with misdirected passes, Fowler well below her best, EvE back to her worst, Raso is the only one who played a decent game. I would guess much to do with the surface. Remember the WC in Canada a few years back, plenty of teams had trouble on these pitches.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Gorry wastes a great deal of energy recovering balls she gives away
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Thanks for being with me for the match and be sure to stick with the Roar for all the A-League action across the weekend ahead. Canada too good for the Aussies across two games and plenty to think about for the Australian coach. Australia………………..…………………..0 Canada……....………………………….....1
Harrythecat
Roar Rookie
Yep, agree Stuart. TG is so passive he might as well be a fridge magnet. You are also right that Gorry has lots of go, but not a lot of natural ability and Van Egmond had a very poor game.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME A disappointing result for the Matildas and losses in both games against Canada have them on the back foot heading into the crucial fixture with Uzbekistan in February. Where to now for Gustavsson? Australia………………..…………………..0 Canada……....………………………….....1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME I'll stand by my view and will write statistically about the errors in midfield from Gorry and co. Running and chasing everything is fine, yet the quality in the Canadian team exposed those midfield weaknesses. Australia………………..…………………..0 Canada……....………………………….....1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME In my view, Gustavsson got very lucky at the World Cup the way the draw opened up, Gorry is not up to international standard, Van Egmond also lacks control and the poise in midfield very, very poor. Australia………………..…………………..0 Canada……....………………………….....1