Australia’s Olympic football campaign got off to the worst possible start in São Paulo, where the Matildas conceded in the first minute before going down 2-0 to last year’s World Cup hosts Canada.
Janine Beckie’s goal for the team ranked 10th in the world by Fifa after just 20 seconds – the fastest goal scored in Olympic women’s football history – made things difficult from the outset for Alen Stajcic’s side.
Canada defender Shelina Zadorsky’s red card on 18 minutes – following a tussle with Michelle Heyman – gave the Matildas a way back into the game, and soon afterwards Elise Kellond-Knight hit the bar from a free-kick.
But despite the player advantage and enjoying periods of domination, the Australians could not find a way through the Canadian defence.
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams kept Australia in the match with a penalty save in the second half after Caitlin Foord was adjudged to have handled in the area, but the result was sealed with 10 minutes remaining, when forward Christine Sinclair beat Williams, who had charged off her line, to the ball and slotted home.
Defeat gives Australia a mountain to climb if they are to get out of Group F – in their next outing they face second-ranked Germany, who eased past Zimbabwe 6-1 in their opener later in the day.
The top two teams from each group progress to the knockout phase.
