Matildas go down in Kobe

Under attack... Kate Gill (left) in the thick of the action (Getty Images)

The Matildas have been defeated 3-0 by the Japanese women’s national team at the Home’s Stadium in Kobe on Thursday night.

• Matildas ready for Japan
• Matildas do it for Di
• Last act for Alagich

With a revamped defensive line following the recent retirement of Di Alagich, Caitlin Munoz showed her versatility by starting the match at left-back with Clare Polkinghorne and Kim Carroll in the middle and Brooke Spence taking the right back position. Lisa De Vanna and Kathryn Gill also joined the starting line-up after joining the squad from their Swedish Club AIK Stockholm, whilst Heather Garriock wore the captain’s armband.

The Japanese women had the better of the opening exchanges, holding possession well in the Australian half. The Matildas counter-attacked to some effect, with De Vanna looking dangerous early. Japan could have taken the lead on the 20th minute, but Shinobu Ono was denied by Matildas hoalkeeper Lydia Williams in the 20th minute.

This was the first of a string of saves Williams produced in the first half, denying Aya Miyama and Kozue Ando, until the 43rd minute, when some lazy marking allowed Homare Sawa a free header into the Australian goal to give the Japanese a 1-0 lead into half-time.

Matildas coach Tom Sermanni changed his goalkeepers at the break, with Williams replaced by Melissa Barbieri.

It took Japan only two minutes to double their lead after the break, when Yuki Nagasato beat the offside trap to take the ball on an adventurous run past Australian defender Brooke Spence before shooting inside the near post.

Japan could have scored more goals were it not for Barbieri's inspired goalkeeping keeping the Matildas in the match.

All hope was dispelled with five minutes to go, when Munoz fouled Japanese substitute Karina Maruyama in the box, and the fouled player converted the resulting spotkick sealing a 3-0 victory for her team.

Matildas coach Tom Sermanni was not surprised about the final result but did have concerns regarding his team's performance.

"Japan are at the top of their game heading into the Olympics and we are currently going through a rebuilding phase," Sermanni said. “Although the result was not in our favour, I was more disappointed with the way we conceded our goals. But that is something that can be worked on."

The Matildas will now head home and turn their focus to the upcoming ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championships which will be played in Vietnam in October this year.

Match Details

Japan 3 (Homare Sawa 43’, Yuki Nagasato 47’, Karina Maruyama 86’ (pen))

Matildas 0

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