Australia’s Women’s World Cup dream ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday with Japan scoring three minutes from the end to win a gruelling quarter-final game 1-0 in intense heat in Edmonton.
The Matildas had matched the world champions in every department until substitute Mana Iwabuchi poked home after a goalmouth scramble in the 87th minute.
Having progressed from the group of death and then upset Brazil in the second round, Australia were asked to raise their game again, and the tactical plan from coach Alen Stajcic came so close to taking the Japanese into extra-time.
But just as in last year’s Asian Cup final, a solitary Japan goal put paid to all the hard work.
There was a subdued atmosphere at the Commonwealth Stadium with a relatively small crowd of 19,814 mostly neutral fans basking in the warm, early afternoon sunshine and the lack of intensity was reflected on the field.
Japan struggled to find the rhythm of the slick short-passing game which has characterised their rise to the top in the women’s game; although part of that failure was due to the Matildas closing down their opponents quickly and harrying them off the ball.
But when the Japanese did get into the final third they always caused danger – Shinobu Ohno went close with an attempted lob in the eighth minute and then the striker fired just wide after good break and low cross from Nahomi Kawasumi.
Australia’s main attempts to probe the Japanese defence came from solo runs down the flank from Lisa De Vanna and Sam Kerr but the surges forward from midfield that worked so well against Brazil were limited.
The first real Australian effort on goal came via a free-kick from 20 yards by Alanna Kennedy, which flashed just wide of the post.
Aussie keeper Lydia Williams, who delivered such a heroic performance in the second-round win over Brazil, showed her value 12 minutes before the interval when she tipped over a dangerous, dipping long-range drive from Japan skipper Aya Miyama.
The sense was that, given the heat on the artificial turf, both sides were preserving their energy for the second half and there was a noticeable attempt after the break, from both teams, to step up the tempo.
Van Egmond went close in the 56th minute with a fierce drive that flew over the bar before Australia coach Alen Stajcic made a switch, 11 minutes later, bringing on the tall Larissa Crummer into attack in place of the tiring De Vanna.
Japan were unable to get anywhere close to the level of high-tempo passing that they showed previously in the tournament with the Australia midfield pressing diligently to frustrate them and the Matilda defence keeping their discipline.
But three minutes from the end of time the resistance ended when, after a goalmouth scramble from a corner, Williams bravely saved at the feet of Azusa Iwashimizu, but the defender recovered and slipped the ball to Mana Iwabuchi who fired into the unguarded goal.
It was a cruel end to the Matildas’ memorable World Cup campaign and to a battling display against the world champions.
At the final whistle the Australian women fell to the ground, holding their hands to their faces in despair.
It was a traumatic conclusion but when the pain eases the Matildas will realise their achievements in Canada deserve all the praise they will surely receive when they return home.
