Suzanne Wrack's match report
I’m going to leave you to it now. Look out for Suzanne Wrack’s match report which will drop shortly, and in the interim feel free to head back to our overarching Olympics live blog to keep up to date with all the action in Tokyo.
Thanks again, it’s been a pleasure.
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That’s that, then. Gustavsson looks happy. Andonovski not so much. Australia will take a draw against USA any day of the week. The Americans, though, would have expected to score. It was cat and mouse from start to finish, punctuated by some solid chances that weren’t gilt-edged. New Zealand have just lost 2-0 to Sweden, so Group G is set and is as follows:
Sweden: 9 (+7)
United States: 4 (+2)
Australia: 4 (-1)
New Zealand: 0 (-8)
Sweden and the US are automatically through and the Matildas have done more than enough to go through themselves.
Full-time! USA 0-0 Australia
90+4 mins The US are getting sick of Australia keeping the ball at the back and Mewis rushes forward to put some pressure on Kennedy. Van Egmond might have gone forward then but instead she passes back to Carpenter. It’s a slow finish to a match which had a stalemate written all over it some time ago.
90+2 mins Four minutes of added time, and a well-timed challenge from Micah stops dead a late US foray.
88 mins Catley passes to Kerr on the left touchline and she tries a cute backheel but is shut down by two defenders. She attempts unsuccessfully to claim the throw-in. I don’t think so. Worryingly, though, Kerr is on the ground now. She had an injury concern early in the match against Sweden but played out the 90 minutes, so I wonder what will happen here. Oh, she’s back up and appears eager to get back on – and does. Ertz used that little break to bark directions to her teammates.
85 mins Australia are forward, at halfway and then Kerr is chasing a bouncing ball into their opponents’ third. She gets her head to it and tees up Simon who is behind her and to the right. Yallop is free and ready but Simon either doesn’t see or can’t execute, and the passage is over. Simon takes her leave and Emily Gielnik runs on. Meanwhile, Carli Lloyd has replaced Morgan and Lynn Williams comes on for Press. Time is ticking now.
83 mins Pass pass pass. Carpenter. Kennedy. Polkinghorne. Kennedy. Carpenter. Kennedy. Polkinghorne. And they’re still going. Could this tactic be more obvious? Finally they employ their midfield, but any effort to move forward from there is shut down by Heath. Oh look, here they go again. They’re inviting the US to do something.
80 mins Cooney-Cross wins the ball and is dashing forward, Lavelle on her heels but also being cautious given she’s skating on thin ice. Her side cannot afford a numerical disadvantage. A very average corner from the Americans goes wanting.
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77 mins The Americans are caught offside again and their counterparts revert to that familiar passing at the back. The Matildas’ defence has been sound, but there is also a sense they may fancy taking a draw, which would leave them in third spot in their group and likely progressing as one of the top two third-placed teams across the three groups. As it stands, the US would progress automatically.
73 mins Lavelle catches Carpenter’s trailing leg and the referee’s card comes out again. Lavelle is clearly unhappy and makes it known. Meanwhile, the Matildas full-back is rolling. Not in the simulation sense, but literally hurtling down the pitch having been thrust forward by her own momentum and that of her trip. Catley is on the turf AGAIN, and medics are on inspecting her calf. Or is it her hamstring?
70 mins Van Egmond is stripped by Lavelle but Cooney-Cross is in chase. Unfortunately for her, the challenge is late and she is shown a yellow. Horan, meanwhile, is making her mark immediately. Tierna Davidson lays a delightful ball on a plate on the right side of the area and her header is good, it’s looking real good! It doesn’t go in. As you were.
67 mins Lavelle is on the counter-attack and weaving her way between defenders as Morgan quietly slides behind Australia’s lines. It’s not amazing timing for her, but it was the right idea. That counter-attack epitomised this match – give either team an inch and they’ll take a mile. Rapinoe has just made a very questionable challenge on Carpenter, who earns the foul. Perhaps sensing Rapinoe is close to a second yellow card, Andonovski subs her off and introduces Tobin Heath. While he’s there he sends on Lindsey Horan for Mewis.
62 mins I’m calling it now, a goalless draw. There is little to suggest anything otherwise, which means I’ve almost certainly just jinxed it and a goal is imminent. We have our first sub, as Logarzo makes way for Kyra Cooney-Cross, who was a star for Melbourne Victory last W-League season.
59 mins Rose Lavelle, who is one of my all-time favourites, lifts the ball expertly to catch Fowler on the arm at close range. She earns a free kick which Rapinoe takes but it’s stopped before it’s started because the Matildas have sprung the offside trap with aplomb.
56 mins The US have been called offside numerous times in this match. It hasn’t shown up on the scoreboard yet but they’ll have to be careful there. Fowler has an almighty chance as she runs onto a through ball from Simon and Becky Sauerbrunn was lucky to get in front of the 18-year-old who, from my point of view, has been excellent, especially considering she was an 11th-hour call-up after Foord’s withdrawal during the warm-up. Worrying moments for the Australians now as Press beats Carpenter, who hasn’t tracked back quickly enough on the flank.
52 mins Simon hits a long ball to Kerr but it flies right past the striker and captain and into the gloves of Naeher. No changes as yet and I imagine the managers but consider going to their benches sometime after the hour mark. For now, Gustavsson is crouched in his technical area with his notepad and pen. He knows the Americans well, having been an assistant there for some time.
Second half!
49 mins We’re back and after a sneaky channel switch from Seven I’ve found the game’s new home and can confirm it is still nil-nil in Kashima.
So Ertz has single-handedly kept Australia scoreless at the break. It was perfectly timed and oh so vital. These teams are evenly matched, which means something really special or something really will have to happen in the second half to break the deadlock. Back with you soon.
Half-time! USA 0-0 Australia
45+1 mins Ertz is on a mission in midfield and Rapinoe is looking to her and then downfield with intent. When it comes to nothing, Australia embark on an encouraging passage of play. Polkinghorne releases a long ball that finds Kerr’s head up the other end of the field. She sends it on to Simon, who heads towards goal. Nice. A short US counter-attack follows but possession is again turned over. Kerr is in space now and closing in on Naeher’s goal. Only Erz can stop her. She gets her leg in front of Kerr’s body and taps the ball safely away. That was a crucial intervention to thwart what would have almost certainly been an opener.
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43 mins Time is ticking away and still there’s been no breakthrough. The US have taken two shots to Australia’s six. Kerr has the ball now at the top of the box and she plays in Yallop, who holds her run and stays onside but shoots straight for the target. That is, straight for the goalkeeper.
40 mins Mewis takes a heavy touch and catches Logarzo, appears to have landed on her boot. She’s copped it a bit this match has Logarzo. Catley has the free kick and delivers yet another nice one – she’s been very good on the dead ball this game. But it isn’t converted thanks to some miscommunication betweem Rapinoe is in a footrace with Carpenter and just as she’s about to enter Australia’s area she clatters straight into Micah, who has run off her line but in an effort not to handball outside the box, heads the ball backwards. That was weird to watch. Rapinoe is yellow-carded for her troubles. I would have probably shown a yellow to Yallop before Rapinoe.
36 mins I don’t want to say this out loud but the US are a little off-colour. I suppose they have been this tournament, but this isn’t all that one-sided. Australia still have 65% possession.
33 mins The US have a corner. They opt for a short corner. I really don’t like those. But the US do, and Kelley O’Hara takes it and barrels it in to Morgan, who is unmarked and makes no mistake. But oh, she’s offside! Or is she? Van Egmond may have just kept her on. The VAR is going to take a look, and here’s that ridiculous Hawkeye that picks up offsides to the millimetre confirms Morgan’s shoulder cost her. Nil-nil.
29 mins With other options lacking, Carpenter tries a speculative long ball which ends up basically nowhere. Well, somewhere between the US defensive line and Naeher, who simply scoops it up and goes about her business. Catley has a corner nowand it’s looking promising, except for the fact that the Matildas cannot connect. A bit of ping pong ensues before Press pirouettes and swings her boot to get it outa there.
26 mins Erz slides a ball behind Catley in an attacking passage that fizzles. The ball has been passed around Australia’s back line for some time now before it’s finally, fruitlessly sent forward. Yallop has just absolutely collected Samantha Mewis with her studs up. It’s a free kick to USA but Yallop should really have gone into the book for that.
22 mins Carpenter concedes a foul. Something of frustration, or maybe just cheek. She throws out a leg and gives the US a free kick. Rapinoe loops in a dangerous ball that is dealt with by Polkinghorne.
20 mins Well well well. Fowler has been in good areas and looking strong on the ball. The teenager, making her Olympic debut, flashes a header that came oh so close to an opener.
17 mins There’s another nice set piece from Catley and there’s an Aussie head to it but the US are away on another counter-attack. This may be where the world No 1s get some joy. They are letting Australia keep possession – about two-thirds at the moment – and picking their moments. Kerr stops the ball for Simon but it’s soon back with the US defence, who are passing it around at the back before making their move. The Matildas are on the counter now as Kerr chases Dunn into the box appeals unsuccessfully for a penalty.
14 mins Catley swings in a free kick that’s heading in the right direction but is easily dealt with by Naeher. Hearing Foord and Raso were both ruled out with injury concerns. Bit of a worry going forward but Australia are making a good account of themselves so far. Logarzo looks to be winded.
11 mins That was risky business from Australia. Carpenter has chased down Rapinoe with success but the ball is out of play and the latter gets the throw-in. Kyah Simon attempts to lay it off for van Egmond but there’s an opponent ready and waiting. Yallop is on the ground now rubbing her right shin thanks to a foul from Crystal Dunn.
8 mins Logarzo takes a free-kick that loops up and over and does less than Julie Ertz, who is down after a head clash with Emily van Egmond. Not long before she’s back on her feet, though. Carpenter has a throw-in in the US third but the Americans are soon back in possession and before you can blink Morgan has run off the shoulder of Tameka Yallop and is hurtling towards Australia’s goal. Logarzo does well to track back and offer support to Micah, who collects.
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5 mins Many players on the pitch right now know and are friends with their opponents, having played against and with each other in America’s NWSL before the recent exodus to Europe.. Morgan is with possession again but can’t find space to supply Rapinoe.
Peep! We're away!
2 mins The US team have taken a knee as Australia link arms. The US are on the front foot from the get-go but the flag has gone up against Alex Morgan. Kerr tries her luck. No dice.
There’s been a very late change for the Matildas, with Caitlin Foord exiting during the warm-up. She’s been replaced by Mary Fowler.
So, let’s get started. How will Australia’s defence deal with the US attack. How will the US deal with Sam Kerr, who scored twice against Sweden? The anthems have been played and we are about to kick off.
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There are a few changes in both teams. Vlatko Andonovski in particular has made five changes to his starting XI. In attack, Alex Morgan and Christen Press get the nod aheda of Carli Lloyd and Heath Tobin, with Rapinoe still on the other wing. Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Sonnett get starts at centre-back and right-back respectively and Lindsay Horan gets a slot in midfield.
For Australia, Alanna Kennedy comes into central defence and Chloe Logarzo plays her first minutes at this tournament at the expense of Hayley Raso.
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The teams are in.
STARTING XI for 🇦🇺
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 27, 2021
It's the final @TheMatildas Group G match against the United States!
Kick off in 50 minutes.
📺 live and free on Seven and @7plus
#TokyoTogether | #Football | #USAvAUS pic.twitter.com/MD9lzwplQd
Your #USWNT Starting XI to close out the Group Stage! 🇺🇸 vs. 🇦🇺 coming up at 4am ET.
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 27, 2021
Lineup notes ≫ https://t.co/ympfSDQFfJ pic.twitter.com/ETSfJgP886
Preamble
Last week, when the United States opened their Olympic campaign with a shock 3-0 loss to Sweden, Donald Trump claimed the defeat was the result of the national team’s “wokeism”. It was a reference to the squad’s - in particular outspoken midfielder Megan Rapinoe - widely applauded stance on racial prejudice and discrimination which, he believed, causes one to become “warped” and “demented”. The former president may have still been busy working on his fundamental misunderstanding of English grammar when Vlatko Andonovski’s side took their “wokeism” and turned it into six goals against New Zealand.
The 6-1 result has lifted the world No 1 Americans to second in Group G, which makes this match against Australia very interesting indeed. The Matildas, after an opening 2-1 win over New Zealand and 4-2 loss to leaders Sweden, are third. Both have three points with only this one match to play, which means a lot is riding on the next 90 minutes. The US have a superior goal difference of +2 to Australia’s -1, which could well come into account in the case of a draw. It must be said, though, that if one of these teams miss out on a top-two spot and automatic progression they are very likely to go through anyway as one of the two best third-ranked teams across the three groups. Of course, New Zealand technically still have a shot but, with zero points, a -6 goal difference and a final game against a Swedish side that is frankly on fire, I am not putting my eggs in the Football Ferns’ basket.
There’s no kind way of putting this: Sam Kerr’s Matildas will be up against it to win this. Tony Gustavsson’s world No 9 team have improved markedly in recent weeks, but they have beaten the US only once - a 1-0 victory in 2018. Right, this should be fun! Got a question, comment or concern? My details are above.
