Australia’s defensive woes sent them crashing out of the Women’s World Cup in a heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat to Norway, with even their world-class attacker Sam Kerr faltering, missing her spot-kick.
After former Matilda Heather Garriock slammed their high line in their opening defeat to Italy, nothing changed, with coach Ante Milicic persisting with the tactic.
It almost cost them their place at the tournament in the second game, as they conceded two sloppy first half goals against Brazil before fighting back to win 3-2.
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But it would cost them a place in the quarter-finals – Norway prevailing 3-1 on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw - and, although the team showed incredible spirit to fight until the last, questions will be asked of Milicic after this defeat.
It’s not all his fault that the Aussies have leaked so many goals. Key centre-back Laura Alleway was ruled out of the tournament just days before the big kick-off, forcing Milicic to call-up 18-year-old left-back Karly Roestbakken.
Injury to Clare Polkinghorne, who took Alleway’s place in the XI, after their opening game forced the coach’s hand even further, with left-back Steph Catley moving across and defensive midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight filling her slot for a very makeshift back four.
That defence was exposed in their second outing, but their attack saved them.
There was not to be any such rescue mission in Nice, as the high line proved costly.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Norway coach Martin Sjogren described Australia as “a very offensive playing team with very good players” but one “not so strong in their defence” – an assessment dubbed “fair” by Milicic.
“We know we need to work on certain areas and keep the ball more so teams can’t hurt us,” he added.
The Matildas did that against Brazil and they did so again against Norway.
Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord tracked back tirelessly to help shore up that defence, while being just as important going forward as Australia’s main threat came out wide.
Norway aren’t the most difficult attack to contain. Although they can boast one of Europe’s most exciting forwards in Caroline Graham Hansen, who returned from injury to start this game, they are a team who focus more on being hard to beat – a total contrast to their opponents.
The Scandinavians scored six goals in three group games, but two of those were penalties and two of those were own goals.
That showed as Australia thwarted them in the opening half hour, but for all the work put in to keep their opponent at bay, there is not much you can do to prevent individual errors.
Steph Catley was the first unfortunate culprit, misjudging Karina Saevik’s pass and allowing Isabel Herlovsen to score as Australia became just the fourth different nation to concede at least 50 goals at this competition.
Alanna Kennedy was the second. After Elise Kellond-Knight’s corner rolled all the way in and sent the game to extra time, the centre-back got the wrong side of Lisa-Marie Utland and was shown a straight red as the last defender, with Utland racing through.
Trailing by a goal or trailing by a player, they were up against it throughout the evening, with their unbelievable spirit – spoke about so much after beating Brazil – keeping them in it to the last.
But despite their heroic defeat, the circumstances which led to such a position have been preventable and, although the players have made clear their belief in Milicic, a last 16 exit is well short of Australia’s expectations in France.
