Matildas fall 3-1 to feisty Brazil in Clare Polkinghorne’s final national team game in Brisbane
Clare Polkinghorne’s Matildas’ hometown send-off has ended in a disappointing fashion as a disjointed Australian performance ended in a 3-1 loss to an under-strength Brazil in Brisbane.
The Matildas were left to rue haphazard defending early as Amanda Gutierres bagged a brace for a Brazil side which started just one member of their Olympic silver medal-winning team.
Caitlin Foord halved the deficit before the break by finishing off a well-worked move before half-time, but Gio restored Brazil’s advantage and the hosts were unable to hit back.
A hostile Suncorp Stadium crowd came to the fore amid several skirmishes between Brazil’s centre-backs and Foord and Hayley Raso, which eventually saw Brazil centre-back Vitoria Calhau red-carded.
Camera IconGiovana Queiroz of Brazil runs with the ball whilst under pressure Winonah Heatley of Australia during the International Friendly match between the Matildas and Brazil. Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
It was not the result the Matildas would have wanted in a game which was a celebration of the career of their all-time games record holder in her final appearance in Brisbane.
Polkinghorne was the last out of the tunnel and given a guard of honour by family, teammates and team staff, as the 168-game veteran walked out with her niece Zoe and received a commemorative jersey from her childhood hero, rugby league legend Darren Lockyer.
When she was substituted for Sharn Freier in the 63rd minute, her home city rose as one to give her one final farewell, an explosion of noise and appreciate filling the air around the stadium.
It was Brazil who were faster out of the blocks, taking the lead when Isa Hass’ long ball flew over Polkinghorne’s head and Amanda Gutierres sprinted into the space which should have been covered by Clare Hunt, before rounding Mackenzie Arnold and turning the ball home.
Camera IconClare Polkinghorne of Australia poses for a photo with an autographed shirt. Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Gutierres said pre-game she would score twice; her words proved prophetic in the 13th minute, when Duda Sampaio’s sumptuous through ball ended in Gutierres firing home.
Sampaio and Lais Estevam controlled the midfield despite the noble efforts of Winonah Heatley in her first start in an unfamiliar holding role, but it could have been 3-0 when Emily van Egmond was caught on the edge of her own box, but Aline Gomes shot over.
Multiple Brazillians required on-field treatment, the delays creating angst in the crowd, with boos raining down upon banged-up goalkeeper Natascha every time she touched the ball.
Adding to a chippy atmosphere was the physical nature of the game; the pre-match marketing called the game a friendly, although it was anything but as centre backs Vitoria Calhau and Isa Haas drew the ire of Foord and Hayley Raso.
Camera IconCaitlin Foord of Australia battles for possession with Isa Haas of Brazil. Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Australia had struggled to create chances, but their first-half goal was a thing of beauty, starting with Ellie Carpenter sending Yasmin for a hot dog with a brilliant turn before a clever van Egmond dummy allowed Foord to hold off Haas before turning and sweeping home.
Brazil regained their two-goal lead nine minutes after the restart when Alanna Kennedy was caught on the ball by Gio, who promptly raced onto a return pass to fire home.
The Brazillian physios were getting their money’s worth as players continued to drop like flies, while the Matildas looked increasingly shaky in counter-attacking situations when their opponents sprung forward.
Calhau was given her marching orders after preventing a quick free-kick, but despite 11 minutes of added time, Australia were unable to make the numerical advantage count — Freier coming the closest twice late.
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