“I think, particularly the first 45 minutes is as good a 45 minutes as I’ve seen our team play, probably since the World Cup last year." Tom Sermanni said it, the US saw and Australia (well those of you watching) cheered it. Our five quick thoughts on Matildas match against the US Women's National Team. 

5things uswnt australia

Lisa De Vanna

Prickly, difficult, controversial....blah, blah, blah.  There are lots of words used in the context of Lisa De Vanna.  However in that match she demonstrated why, in the mood, on her day she is one of the best strikers in the world.  What a goal.  Received 10 yards inside the Matildas' half, then the turn between two defenders, then to out pace Christie Rampone (one of the quickest players in the US team)...with the ball, then to out point Hope Solo (the best keeper in the world). 

Only one word there Lisa. Sensational.

We have depth.... I repeat WE HAVE DEPTH

For so long we could predict the touring squad for the national team. Heck we could predict the starting XI (if you followed it close enough).  But now actual depth at the top and competition for places is being built.  The bad news is it's been forced due to injuries (and players unavailble).  And we have injuries...so many injuries.  Melissa Barbieri (pregnant), Tameka Butt (ankle), Kim Carroll (ACL), Lauren Colthorpe (knee), Casey Dumont (Osteitis Pubis), Heather Garriock (pregnant), Elise Kellond-Knight (ACL), Leena Khamis (ACL), Sally Shipard (knee), Lydia Williams (ACL), all from the World Cup.  The good news is when they all return, what a tantalising squad.  

Doing your homework works

After the Japan game Tom Sermanni was criticised for the play of the team.  Granted Australia didn't play that well but it was an inexperienced side against the Spain of women's football who were, almost literally, on the plane for a silver medal winning Olympic campaign (sorta like the Olyroos v the Euro winning Spain team...yeah, like that). Yesterday the game plan was evident.

The usual 4-3-3 formation.  Play it out through the back from Caitlin Foord or Steph Catley, feed it to our best distributors in Collette McCallum (welcome back!) and Emily Van Egmond and either hit up Kate Gill (target) and/or unleash the light brigade...err Sarah Walsh and Lisa.   What yesterday also demonstrated is that to do all that, you have to have the ball. 

Soaking it up...

On that front when you don't have the ball how do you handle it?  Early on it was great.   Alleway kept Wambach quiet,  the quicker Uzunlar tracked Morgan well, the battle between Catley and Megan Rapinoe was a treat with Catley holding her own (our biased selves say she won it!).  But we had the ball. We controlled the play. 

Then Shannon Boxx was subbed in, the USA kicked it up a notch, the heat and travel fatigue set it. The defence got stretched until it eventually broke.  The next phase is how to handle pressure and repell.  There were promising moments when Australia looked to play through the pressure with Foord brilliant as the release valve.  Other times were not so good. That's the next challenge. 

Bri's a keeper

Australia's long tradition of producing excellent goalkeepers continues.  What a solid performance from Brianna Davey.  17 years old and her second international is against the World No.1 team.  And remember she is fourth...FOURTH in line (Barbieri, Williams and Dumont were the World Cup keepers).  It would have been easy for her to be overawed or timid but she wasn't even when facing the penalty of Shannon Boxx (oh she was so close!).