Australia vs Canada: Matildas loss to Canada continues a worrying trendline a year out from a home World Cup

The status of the team in a recognition-sense is only going one way, aided by the anticipation of a World Cup on home soil barely a year away.

As to where the team is heading performance-wise?

That’s another story.

Two losses in three days against Canada – a chaotic 1-0 defeat in Brisbane, and a 2-1 loss in Sydney – continues a worrying form trend. The dying stages of their most recent defeat, full of mayhem and frustration, perfectly encapsulated where they have found themselves.

As 27,000 people tested the newly set foundations of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, Sam Kerr danced with the ball on the edge of the Canadian penalty area. Kerr played in replacement Alex Chidiac, who couldn’t get a shot on target. A moment of great expectation turned to frustration.

There are 12 months to change that narrative.

*****

Matildas manager Tony Gustavsson, who has attempted to balance development with performance throughout his two years in the job, presented a brave face after the loss in Brisbane

“The belief won’t be lost if we lose,” he told reporters on Monday ahead of the Sydney clash.

The theory is now in play.

Canada is good.

Olympic champions generally are.

But the way the Matildas performed was a continuation of some worrying trendlines in recent times. Terrific passages of exciting attacking play, intertwined with moments without cohesion. Sloppy passing. Static defending. Nothing is automatic on a football pitch, and there is nothing worse than being stuck in neutral.

Gustavsson preaches forward thinking play and, for the most part across the two games, the Matildas displayed a willingness to listen to their manager, wildly instructing with a headset on from the sideline.

The Swede commented before the two games that his deep lying midfielder is paramount to such plans. Katrina Gorry, a mere 12 months into life as a mother, had the role throughout, trying to nurture the coach‘s close-held belief that the ball is best away from your own goal.

Her performances mirrored those of the Matildas: full of hope in the good moments, and frustration when the passes didn’t stick.

The first half in Sydney was the best 45 minutes of the two games, and Gorry was terrific. With the ball, the conductor turned terrier when it was time to win it back.

The Matildas’ bright start was highlighted by an early goal from Mary Fowler, another with sublime technique when firing on all cylinders. Those cylinders stopped working for the entire Matildas unit early in the second half, when doubt quickly flooded back.

The major worry was the manner in which Canada brought it back with galling directness, going straight through the Matildas defensive set up, firstly for an equaliser to the excellent Adriana Leon on 47 minutes, before Leon latched on to a poetic through ball from young defender Jade Rose just after the hour mark.

Rose had previously sliced through stationary gold shirts, and what turned out to be the winner was a similar design. The Matildas threw all they could toward the tiring Canadians late, but could’t find an answer on another night when questions were left hanging in the breeze.

Kerr couldn’t find the back of the net, but remains the Matildas most important player.

Three big chances went begging in the first half in Brisbane on Saturday and the same happened on two occasions in Sydney. Kerr’s season for Chelsea has not started yet. In season, there is less likelihood of life on Pluto than there is of Kerr not capitalising on five big chances.

Yet her role is greater than just a finisher. The need to play forward means Kerr is always in the game, and the main development in her game since moving to Chelsea in 2020 is an involvement in build-up play, dropping off the last line to play quick passes square to teammates sprinting in a positive direction.

As strange as it sounds that a striker misses her fullbacks, Kerr misses the timely runs of Ellie Carpenter at right back and Steph Catley from left back, with all due respects to the deputies on show against Canada.

Catley missed the two games despite travelling to Australia with a mild muscle problem, while Carpenter won’t be back until April due to a long-term knee injury.

Their involvement is critical.

*****

Regardless of who is available, Gustavsson is under pressure.

Those on the fringes of reason calling for his head won’t be given notice by Football Australia.

The fact is, though, European opponents that feature on the fixture list for the balance of 2022 will offer a sterner test than Canada, who came without a number of first choice players.

Sweden will be the next European opponent to visit Australian shores, meeting the Matildas in November in Melbourne.

Before then, the Matildas will gather the squad in London for two matches in October, a move designed to lessen the impact of travel to the other side of the world. That’s good for Football Australia’s budget and brand development when they do, with crowds over 20,000 in both Brisbane and Sydney this international break, but bad for players who could do without monthly journeys across hemispheres.

Canada will now leave Australia less fearful of next year’s World Cup hosts than when they arrived last week. The Olympic champions are one of many teams who can consider themselves a chance to lift the World Cup next August.

Most of Australia’s players didn’t bother sleeping after the game, heading back to Europe on 6am flights to resume or start seasons as the sun rose on Wednesday.

The World Cup is a day closer.

As strong as the Matildas brand will be for the conceivable future, some sleepless nights await for those charged with getting the most out of a golden era.