Table positioning is up for grabs when Australia meets Finland in their final Group B match of the Cyprus Cup in Larnaca, Cyprus.

A win and a loss in the opening two matches leaves Australia currently second in Group B, and with a top spot looking unlikely, the Matildas require a strong goal difference boosting win to give them an opportunity to play off for third place.

Australia will also be looking to bounce back after a passive opening 25 minutes saw them punished by a good England midfield and a clinical Jodie Taylor.

"We were probably a little bit naive tonight," said Alen Stajcic of Friday night's performance.

"We were caught out on the counter-attack four times and Taylor put three of them away."

While Australia's performance after the opening surge was much improved, that early timeframe put on display a number of the Matildas problem areas.

[More: Cyprus Cup Coverage | Matildas squad]

England's press gave Australia little room or time on the ball and the team, and in particular midfield, found it a task to play through the pressure.

The goals on the counter-attack came from the dwelling on the ball while trying to find the next option.

Defensively Australia looked less compact than they did against the Netherlands with England finding ways in behind the defence with rapid and direct ball movement.

"There is a lot to work on; certainly our execution can improve and certainly our defending off the counter-attack."

"We have to learn how to play against the direct counter-attacking teams like England."

[More: Australia v England Match Report]

It wasn't all bad news for Australia with both Lisa De Vanna and Michelle Heyman having excellent matches, particularly in the second half.

Heyman continues to grow in leading the line for the Matildas and her work rate in dropping deep to then distribute was a feature.

The second half saw Australia control possession and territory but there were few dangerous incursions in the English penalty area and too often couldn't find that final ball.

"Our execution just wasn't as good as England's and that's why we lost 3-0."

"The big picture is getting the preparation right for the World Cup and learning."

With only 3 changes made between the starting XI against the Netherlands and the XI against England, there is the possibility of even more changes against Finland.

[More: Netherlands v Australia Match Report]

Out of the match Brianna Davey landed awkwardly on her hip and Lisa De Vanna had an ankle issue and both players will be assessed pre-game.

Finland are one of many European sides starting to invest more in the women's game and getting some reward at the youth level.

Their performances against the World Cup bound England and the Netherlands have been solid. With a compact defensive block, the Finns will present another, different puzzle with Australia expected to have to break them down.

This match is a good opportunity for the Matildas to continue to be pro-active and implement some of the lessons learnt from the loss against England.

There are no broadcasts of the Cyprus Cup but follow us on Facebook at Twitter for updates.

Australia v Finland

9 March 2015

GSZ Larnaca

Kick off: 17:30 local (2.30am AEDT)

Results

Netherlands      0

Australia             1 (Crummer 73')

4 March 2015, GSZ Larnaca

Australia             0

England               3 (Taylor 8'/ 17' / 83')

6 March 2015, GSP Nicosia

Matildas Squad

Laura ALLEWAY, Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), Nicola BOLGER, Stephanie CATLEY, Larissa CRUMMER, Brianna DAVEY (gk), Lisa DE VANNA, Caitlin FOORD, Kate GILL, Katrina GORRY, Michelle HEYMAN, Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, Alanna KENNEDY, Collette McCALLUM, Teresa POLIAS, Clare POLKINGHORNE, Hayley RASO, Gema SIMON, Kyah SIMON, Ashleigh SYKES, Servet UZUNLAR, Emily VAN EGMOND