Matildas beat Mexico in the USA
The Matildas made the long journey to the USA to take on Mexico in San Antonio. Just an international friendly, on paper the match has no real meaning or consequences associated with it. However, with the Paris Olympics just three months away, each match must be treated as a pivotal chance to improve.
Against Mexico, the focus was certainly to beat their forward press consistently. Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson echoed this sentiment when speaking on the Network Ten coverage prior to the match.
He highlighted that two of Australia’s group stage opponents in Paris, Germany and the US, would likely press intensely, so getting some practice in against an aggressive Mexican press was a good learning point.
The results early on were less than ideal. The Australian women were trying to string passes together along their backline and into the middle of the pitch but were intercepted a number of times by the Mexican forwards.
In between a few less than ideal possessions which ended in turnovers, the Matildas did show the danger of pressing high against them with a speedy counterattack that was thwarted by Mexico.
Despite the shaky start, Australia got on the board early to settle their nerves. In just the ninth minute they broke the press beautifully with a slight formation change which saw Ellie Carpenter rotate into the midfield.
This led to Caitlin Foord finding room on the left wing and sending a ball across the top of the box. Hayley Raso was the beneficiary of the cross as she collected the ball and rifled it into the bottom corner for the 1-0 lead.
Immediately following the goal Mexico began taking the game to the Matildas. Much of the following ten minutes of play transpired in the Matildas defensive third, with Mexico whipping crosses and free kicks into the box. They were unable to really test Mackenzie Arnold however.
The Matildas would settle in again after this and begin to play with the ball more. The action was back and forth but neither side were consistently finding that final ball needed to really have a good crack on goal.
The two sides headed to the dressing rooms with a 1-0 score.
Shortly after the second half began, the Matildas struck again. This time it was all Caitlin Foord as she collected the ball on the left and cut inside, she gave the defender a slight fake at cutting back left before curling a shot into the far corner.
The second goal seemed to deflate the Mexican’s slightly as the Matildas were coming in waves. The next 20 minutes was controlled by the Aussies as it was now them disrupting passing lanes and not allowing Mexico to exit their own half cleanly.
Mexico made a bit of a press in the final ten minutes, with a couple decent chances and a weak penalty cry but were unable to find the net.
The final whistle blew with the score 2-0 in favour of the Matildas in San Antonio.
Life Without Sam Kerr
Ever since the announcement of her ACL surgery in early January the Matildas new they would have to make their Olympic journey without the brilliant Sam Kerr.
This match against Mexico was another step in the right direction in becoming fully comfortable playing without the superstar.
They have now proven over the past few months that even without Kerr, they will still be a difficult matchup for anyone.
