Summary
Played three, won three, nine goals for, one goal conceded. And an inaugural Cup of Nations win for Australia against three teams, all World Cup bound and with plenty of reasons to play hard.
After the mess that has been the month that was, since the shock sacking of Alen Stajcic, it’s hard to conclude that the Cup of Nations has been anything but an unmitigated success for the Matildas, who as expected, did their talking on the pitch with some impressive and cohesive performances.
It’s not been a dramatic reinvention of the wheel under Ante Milicic, but there are, at the margins, just the smallest hints that the team is rebuilding some collective mojo and momentum 95 days ahead of the opening fixture in France.
Some impressive performances, none more so than talismanic captain Sam Kerr who finishes with three goals in three games. Although it’s Korea’s hugely impressive Ji So-yun who takes the golden boot for the tournament with four.
Some moments of concern at the back - especially if you imagine these against top-six rivals - so plenty still for the hard-working and perfectionist Milicic and his staff to address. But otherwise an impressive showing from one of Australia’s best loved teams.
Onwards and upwards - it’s a date with World No 1, the United States, in a months time.
Thanks for your company!
Full-time: Australia 3-0 Argentina
90 + 4 min: And thar she blows.
Tough on Argentina, who one again looked value for a draw in that second half, but it was another set piece - this time an inability to clear their lines from a freekick that saw a foul given away, and once again Australia punish from the dead ball.
Game, set, match - Australia wins the inaugural Cup of Nations!
Updated
Penalty! Australia 3-0 Argentina (Foord)
90 + 3 min: She was held on the spot a long time, but no mistake and what a relief that will be from Foord, who gets herself on the scoresheet finally after 270 minutes of tournament, where it looked like she could be the forward who missed out.
Calmly taken, and there’s the cherry on top.
Updated
90 min: We’ll have four minutes added time. It’s Kellond-Knight with a set piece, she’s already got an assist for the Kennedy goal.
Foord goes to ground, and it’s not clear if she was impeded, Catley then scraps with Bravo, and the referee says: penalty!
89 min: A bit of niggle out there, but Raso has copped a very hefty blow in the lower back. A sickening moment, especially for a player who’s famously just back from a broken back. The emotions would be bubbling, but she’s back to her feet and well into the action again. Hearts in mouth for a moment there - it’s been such an incredible recovery story, the last thing you’d want is a repeat concern.
86 min: Williams advances from her box to play out from the back - looking quite comfortable as they look to execute their new coach’s philosophy.
Raso, with a remarkable save on a cross that for all money looked dead; she cuts back, but De Vanna is caught on her heels and can’t get her shot on target. Terrific energy from Raso!
82 min: KK looks to turn playmaker, playing in the more advanced role - for those formation aficionados among you, you’d probably call it the No 8 position (in a 4-3-3).
Butt is playing further ahead, but they’re not quite as cohesive tonight in the front third as we’ve seen earlier in the tournament.
It is a third game inside a week, which no matter how your level of professionalism is arduous - especially with extra training and recovery sessions no doubt packed in between as Milicic looks to maximise his time with his new chargers.
79 min: And it is an early shower for the calf-sore Kennedy, who sat out of the squad against South Korea, and it’s former skipper Claire Polkinghorne who comes on.
It’s a second half that’s just failing to spark - plenty of breaks in play, injuries and subs, as the hard-working Jaimes makes way. What a shift from her.
75 min: Another injury break as one of the Argentine players cops a nasty ball to the midriff. De Vanna looks to feed Foord, but the centre back Cometti scrambles well to keep the Sydney forward out.
Raso looks to whip a cross, but she can’t beat the Argentine first line of defence.
70 min: De Vanna looks to beat her player, but Argentina’s right back Barroso does enough to concede the throw.
A bit of a break in play as Larroquette receives some medical attention.
How will the Matildas play this one out - you’d imagine Milicic and his staff will be keen to see the work continue until the 90th +. With between 1-3 games left before the World Cup every minute could be crucial for match fitness and endurance gains.
67 min: Chidiac makes way, she looks slightly despondent, how she would have loved just a second international goal to her name. On comes Tameka Butt.
64 min: Perhaps the best we’ve seen from Argentina this tournament - some promising signs heading into the World Cup if they can work on those defensive issues. They face England, Scotland and Japan in Group D - so a tricky group if they’re hoping to progress to the knockout phase.
Set piece from Australia and they look to build patiently.
Raso tries to round Garton after a long ball, before the replacement ‘keeper pulls off a brilliant point-blank save from Chidiac! What. A. Save.
60 min: As expected, it is Kerr and alongside her Gielnik who makes way. On come Lisa De Vanna and Hayley Raso to freshen the front three.
Foord will presumably move to the head of the spear, De Vanna from the left, Raso the right.
What subs to come on if you’re a tiring Argentine defender! No worries, just a pure greyhound, and Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer.
57 min: We can expect perhaps a Milicic-mad-minute at the hour mark, as he’s done in the previous games of the tournament, with a few changes no doubt on the mark.
Kerr will presumably make way, as she has in the previous two games, but she’s cut an isolated figure over the past fifteen minutes, which we haven’t seen too much this tournament.
Without the industry of Tameka Butt and Emily Van Egmond, the line-leader is getting caught too far away from her midfield.
54 min: Ooh, that’s a terrific covering tackle! Jaimes springs the trap this time, and Kennedy is unable to make up ground, but the left back-cum-centre back Catley eats up the ground to slide in and prevent the shot! Terrific work, from Australia’s vice captain.
52 min: Argentina look to spring the offside trap, but it’s a disciplined line from the Matildas, and one or two players are well caught.
Interestingly, Fifa have announced VAR will be used at the Women’s World Cup, so perhaps an added level of security for teams that look to play a high line.
48 min: Interesting to see KK in a slightly more attacking role, and she slides a well-weighted ball through for Kerr, to the squeals of delights of the home fans, but the ‘keeper comes off her line well.
Incidentally, it’s Gabriela Garton between the sticks, with the veteran Correa making way at half-time.
Second half!
45 min: So a change at the break as Harrison makes way for Aivi Luik.
Interesting from Milicic, he pushes Kellond-Knight further forward, with Luik coming in to play the defensive midfield role. Luik v Polias for a World Cup spot is looming as one of the intra-squad contests. You’d imagine Harrison v a fit again Logarzo will be another.
Some thoughts from Ellie:
We're pretty lucky that Argentina hasn't been able to capitalize on those chances. If we keep playing sloppy defence it won't be long until they do find the back of the net. #AUSvARG
— ellie (@_osenverre) March 6, 2019
I have to say, I’m quite in agreement. They’ve looked good value going forward, Argentina, with Jaimes an ever-present danger in the mould of Canada’s Christine Sinclair, just a shame they couldn’t do better defensively.
So - your thoughts on the first stanza?
As always, drop us an email or tweet to join the conversation. Are you a Boca Juniors fanatico following this one from home to keep an eye on former star, Jaimes? Or on a cattle station in the Nullarbor keeping tabs on hometown girl, Lydia Williams?
Let us know.
Half-time: Australia 2-0 Argentina
45 + 2 min: It’s another terrific ball in from Gielnik, but her cross eludes those in gold in the centre. They finish with some controlled possession, the Matildas, and there’s the whistle.
Far from their best first half of the tournament, but in terms of effectiveness from the set piece, Australia find themselves comfortably in control.
Updated
44 min: Harrison with some South American flair of her own, sparking a sharp counter-attack with a clever nutmeg. She picks out Kerr, who finds Chidiac and the Matildas spring forward. Argentina do enough defensively, to the chagrin of the home crowd.
42 min: Ball in the net! Oh my. Jaimes appears to have been robbed on this one! It’s a marginal call for offside, but did the ball come off a Matilda last?
She lobs Williams brilliantly, and instinctively, but the linesman says no dice.
A shame for the visitors - they’ve definitely deserved something from this half.
39 min: Brilliant defensive work from Jaimes, no wonder Lyon - one of the best club sides in the world - came knocking for her signature. She nudges Catley off the ball like she was breeze, and then flicks the ball through another Matilda before earning a freekick. What a joy to watch.
35 min: It’s a second yellow for a woman in yellow. Just off the bench, it’s Gema Simon channelling Matt Simon with a rugged tackle and follow through on her opposite winger.
A very obvious work on for the Argentine coaching staff - if you were looking at this first third of the game holistically you’d say they’ve been 50-50 in this; but they trail by two.
Nice work from Harrison who clips a terrific long ball over the defence to find Sydney FC teammate Foord, but the South Americans scramble well.
Goal! Australia 2-0 Argentina (Kennedy)
32 min: It’s impressive work from Banini, she wears the No 10, which comes with a fair bit of expectation in Argentina - and so far the Levante midfielder appears to be wearing it with aplomb.
Ay, ay, ay. It’s Australia’s first attack in about ten minutes, and after weathering some promising attacks, they’ve opened up the Argentine defence with ease.
Disappointing defending from the South Americans - two set pieces, two goals.
Updated
30 min: A dangerous freekick as well, and Williams comes to punch clear, but it falls to an Argentine. It’s a first-time volley from the right back Barroso, but she gets her angles wrong. It was a difficult chance, but they’re enjoying a few half-chances, the visitors.
28 min: It’s been a decent patch this for Argentina. They did look very positive against South Korea throughout the first half, before falling away to concede four.
Kennedy and Jaimes continue their acquaintance, and it’s the lanky centre back who picks up a yellow for a raised hand in the face of the Argentine.
25 min: Eek. Bonsegundo gets behind the Matildas backline far too easily - Allen the guilty party at right back, but the shot is taken first time, and she blazes well wide.
It is a concern for Australia, who are playing with such a high line throughout this tournament.
22 min: Ach. It’s bad news for Alleway, who does succumb to that injury, meaning an early shuffle for Milicic. Catley moves across to centre back, with Gema Simon coming on to play left back. Big opportunity for the Jets utility player. Could really press her case here today.
Bit of niggle from Larroquette, who pushes one of the Matildas players off the ball after some confusion over a freekick.
Updated
19 min: Jaimes continues to work hard up front, Kennedy and Alleway will know they’ve been in a scrap after this one. Chidiac and KK combine for a one-two; there’s some decent movement and rotations happening today for the Matildas.
Banini tries her hand with a lofted effort from just outside the box, but it’s rare unclean hands from Williams, who can only parry the effort - but dives well at the feet of Jaimes to prevent an equaliser! A wee scare, that - for the Tildas.
16 min: Alleway is back on, and plays calmly out from the back, Kellond-Knight (aka KK) receives, her usual metronomic self, facing forward and distributing swiftly to build an attack.
After that perhaps overawed start, Argentina are coming into the contest physically - with a few “lusty” challenges going in across the field. Matildas won’t mind that.
13 min: Ooh. Gielnik with a terrific whipped ball from wide that’s only marginally evaded captain Kerr. She’s had such an impressive season with the Victory, the wide forward, but her delivery - both from set piece and during the game - has been a real noted improvement. Such power and swerve - could that be a feature in France?
11 min: Really impressive workrate from the Matildas so far, as Harrison and Kellond-Knight harry their midfield opponents brilliantly, with Gielnik also dropping deep to deny the Argentine ball-players the time and space to play forward.
A slight injury concern for Laura Alleway; she’s off the pitch briefly receiving treatment.
9 min: A nervy start, you’d have to say for the visitors, but an offside call provides the chance for a breather and a chance to get up the other end. An opportunity to cross into the box but Bonsegundo can’t find the right final delivery.
6 min: Ooph. This could be fingers in the dam territory already for Argentina, as Chidiac lines up a terrific curling shot from outside the box. Correa does brilliantly to get across and tip that behind - it was arrowing for the bottom corner.
Fine strike, Chidiac - her first touch created the space, her second was struck brilliantly goalwards.
Australia 1-0 Argentina (Kerr)
4 min: Ay, ay. We mentioned the Correa v Kerr battle, and at first testing, it’s the Matildas talisman who gets the jump!
A second corner, again earned by Foord, Australia goes near post from Gielnik, and it’s a clever run towards the near-post from Kerr who sneaks in on the blindside and just beats the ‘keeper to the ball.
Headed goal, cool as you like - and that’s a goal in every game since getting the skipper’s armband. Lovely from Kerr, Argentina caught napping.
Updated
3 min: Ball in the net! It’s a terrific lifted ball over the top to the dangerous No 9 Jaimes, who volleys side-foot past Lydia Williams; but the linesman’s flag was quickly into action, and replays suggesting correctly.
Imagine that for a start!
2 min: The visitors are sitting deep but there’s been no drop in intensity from the Matildas. Swarming numbers in midfield turn the ball over and as Caitlin Foord sets off on a run the defence scrambles well.
First corner of the game, but they deal with it comfortably, Argentina.
Kickoff!
1 min: It’s Argentina who get us going, in one of the most iconic strips of world football, the white-and-blue vertical stripes, Australia in the traditional gold and green.
The players have made their way out onto the pitch, so we’re not a million miles away from kickoff.
Irrespective of the result today, how refreshing is it that during this tournament the attention has turned back to football, on the field, and people talking about these remarkable athletes, not any off-field ructions surrounding them.
I think this billboard captures that pretty nicely.
Let’s do this @TheMatildas!! #gameday #AUSvARG pic.twitter.com/tpnTPPNVkI
— Oz Football Gossip⚽ (@OzFootbalGossip) March 6, 2019
From an Argentine perspective, all eyes will be on No 9 Sole Jaimes, who’s been a standout performer for the Albicelestes. Eight of the squad are based in Spain, so despite being a reasonably young collective are growing in experience. Goalkeeper Vanina Correa had a second half to forget against a strong-finishing Korea on matchday one, so she’ll look no doubt to be at her very best with one of the world’s best strikers in Sam Kerr bearing down on her.
The players have been out on the pitch at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, or AAMI Park (different folks, different strokes), and warm ups appear to have been conducted without incident. It’s a decent crowd trickling in, so hopefully home support will buoy some of the younger Matildas.
One player I’ll be watching closely is the midfielder Chidiac - she is of course on the books of Atlético Madrid over in Spain, so plenty of her opponents will know her game, having faced her domestically. They were the runaway leaders of the Primera División (ahead even of Barcelona), so a fun game-within-a-game to watch, that one.
Updated
Afternoon/evening/morning all! To you and yours, from wherever you’re following our Cup of Nations coverage. It’s been a positive first two hit outs for the Matildas, especially for a few so-called fringe players. Emily Gielnik is one who’s impressed hugely in her two matches, and she’s been rewarded with another start in what is, once again, a much-changed line up from matchday two.
So - to team news:
LINE UPS | Here's how @TheMatildas and @Argentina start tonight.
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) March 6, 2019
Kick-off is 6pm AEDT. #AUSvARG #CupOfNations #GoMatildas pic.twitter.com/go0DIgmXkv
Lydia Williams returns between the posts and after being rested for “soreness”, Alanna Kennedy is back to marshall the backline. No Ellie Carpenter, so Teigen Allen get a chance to impress from right back. Elise Kellond-Knight will screen the back four, but it’s the young heads of Alex Chidiac and Amy Harrison who get a huge chance to impress, selected ahead of Tameka Butt and Emily van Egmond.
Sam Kerr will once again lead the line, with Caitlin Foord coming in to press her claims after what’s been, in fairness, a relatively quiet tournament for the Sydney FC flyer.
Preamble
It’s the final matchday of the Cup of Nations and with Korea Republic’s 2-0 win over New Zealand in the earlier fixture, the equation is very simple for the Matildas. Anything but a loss against Argentina secures top spot.
In fairness, that counts for very little - the four nation tournament was always only ever going to be about match fitness, trying new combinations and a chance for new coach Ante Milicic to cast his eye over the best available 23 ahead of the World Cup in France in June.
Argentina have been perhaps a slight disappointment - but amid a context where the women’s game in machismo-heavily South America remains criminally underfunded. Great strides have been taken in recent years, but on their showing over the last two games perhaps this crop of players is not yet ready to make major waves in France. They’ve got 90 minutes left to suggest otherwise, and there remains some individually quality players, so Matildas will be wise to not take lightly.
For Australia, Milicic promised his squad that all outfield players would get game time across this tournament - presumably third-choice Eliza Campbell could see at least 45 minutes as well, coming off a solid season in the W-League for Perth Glory. New combinations could be tested therefore, as the “gaffer” experiments for this third match.
