Football Ferns is no match against Matildas as the trip to the World Cup begins with a defeat

The Football Ferns did not match the Australian Matildas, who lost 2-0 to Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Thursday night.

One of these teams will be the title candidate in France in June, while one is looking to win a match at the centerpiece event for the first time. not their moments.

While most Matildas were in action in Europe or in the Australian W-League, which ended two weeks ago, the 11 starters at Ferns had disputed that a total of 1325 minutes of football in 2019 – six of them being nonexistent – and there were many times when he showed.

They will now focus on Argentina, who are expecting Sunday in Brisbane and will be licking their wounds after losing 5-0 to South Korea in the opening match of the Nations Cup tournament.

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The Ferns were lined up in a 3-5-2 formation for their first match against a non-Oceanian opponent under coach Tom Sermanni, although they turned to a 4-4-2 10-minute run. before halftime, apparently seeking to prevent the Matildas from taking advantage. had allowed them in the middle of the field and on the flank.

Goalkeeper Erin Nayler was much invited in the first period, first to prevent Emily Gielnik from scoring 17 minutes, after being inserted into the right rectangle, and then twice refusing to return. striker Sam Kerr, either side of the mark had attempts with his head and then his foot.

The Ferns were also able to count on their blessings twice, first when Elise Kellond-Knight kicked a free-kick forward on the edge of the crossbar area and then when a Betsy Hassett handball went unnoticed .

Emily van Egmond missed a golden opportunity to put the Matildas in the 39th minute. Caitlin Foord downsized in the middle of the field to allow himself to shoot the ball far to the right, but Gielnik finally placed them early one minute after the break.

Nayler had come looking for a center coming from his right and had been left in a no man's land while Gielnik was lucky that Abby Erceg had created a hash of what looked like a routine shooting block while just inside the surface.

The best moments of the Ferns came when they were able to push high and force the Matildas to cough the ball in the back, but thanks to this approach, once beaten, the hosts had plenty of room to exploit.

Sarah Gregorius had been a living in the first spell, seeking to sneak in behind, and had the best chance of the Ferns just before being let out, when she entered the left surface and then got her foot back stronger, only to send a tame attempt to Lydia Williams, the guardian of Matildas.

The Ferns formation change shattered their pressure – and their offensive threat – and after the Matildas missed two chances to double their lead early in the second half – both Foord and Kerr 'gap – the game began to skid.

Ferns midfield midfielder Annalie Longo continued his momentum by sending Gregorius to the goal with a well-timed ball, but the striker was forced to shoot remotely with Williams charging her on it. far post for a goal kick.

The Matildas brought a host of changes, the most notable being Kerr's withdrawal, but they remained a threat, hitting the crossbar for the second time when Tameka Butt sent an intense effort to a receding Nayler.

One of their replacements was Hayley Raso, who returned to the team after a breakup. It had an immediate impact, passing Ali Riley in the rear, then a shot that allowed the Matildas to score two goals after 15 minutes.

Nations Cup, first day

Australia 2 (Gielnik 44 & # 39 ;, Raso 75 & # 39;) Football ferns 0.
HT: 1-0

South Korea 5 (Mira Moon 4 ", Hwayeon Son 53", Sodam Lee 56 ", Soyun Ji 68", 75 ") Argentina 0.
HT: 1-0