The Matildas lost captain Steph Catley in the warm-up before falling to a 2-1 defeat to Brazil in a pulsating international friendly on the Gold Coast.
After losing to the Brazilians 3-1 in Brisbane three days earlier, Australia were left with plenty to work on as they target playing their best football at the 2026 Asian Cup on home soil.
It comes as one of Australia’s most glaring problems became apparent again, with the Matilda’s failing to convert their chances
Skipper Catley went up the race minutes before kick off with lower leg tightness in pre-game drama the Matildas didn’t need. Coach Tom Sermanni took the cautious approach and replaced her with Courtney Nevin in defence.
Brazil led 2-1 at halftime after a wonder strike by midfielder Gabi Portilho and a tap in at the far post by defender Lauren. Hayley Raso responded late in the half to give the hosts a sniff after a world class cross by Caitlin Foord.
The margin could have been far worse for the Matildas if not for three desperate saves by goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who replaced Mackenzie Arnold to start in her first international since playing Canada last December.
Australia have suffered back-to-back defeats by Brazil, after the Matildas were bested 2-1 on Sunday
Gabi Portilho (left) produced a wonderful strike to put the visitors 1-0 up inside 30 minutes
After going two goals down in the first-half, Raso would pull one back for Australia just before the break
Brazil were slicker in attack in the first half but Micah dived left and right to restrict the damage.
Foord was replaced on the left wing at halftime by Sharn Freier as Sermanni rang the changes, with Emily Gielnik, Daniela Galic and Charlotte Grant entering the fray soon afterwards.
The match opened up after the break with both sides making plenty of ground but unable to find the finish. Alanna Kennedy went closest with a swinging free kick just tipped over the bar.
There was plenty of feeling in the match, as there was in Brisbane, with Brazil fullbacks Kaka and Lauren receiving yellow cards in the first half for cynical grabs on Foord and Raso respectively.
Brazil pushed the boundaries in the first friendly and continued those tactics after Sermanni had made further changes to his starting 11, bringing midfielder Tameka Yallop and striker Michelle Heyman into the line-up.
Emily van Egmond, in her 151st game for the Matildas, wore the captain’s armband on a night when she joined Cheryl Salisbury in equal second on the all-time caps list for an Australian footballer.
Playing in her home city on the Gold Coast, Raso was outstanding. Apart from her goal she was up to her teeth in everything in front of 25,297 fans.
But despite her brilliance, Raso had missed a crucial chance to bring the hosts back level in the second half.
Questions were raised by pundits over Australia’s quality in the final third, after Raso appeared to play a pass to a Brazil defender as Australia breaked forward in the second-half
The Matildas had also lost their captain Steph Catley during the warm-up and were forced into a late change
Tempers flared in what was a heated match, as Emily Gielnik and Bruna Santos Nhaia clashed
Playing in her home city on the Gold Coast, Raso was outstanding and was Australia’s best player
She steamed towards the Brazil penalty area, surrounded by several other team-mates. Opting to cross the ball into the box, Raso fluffed her pass, with the ball heading straight to an opposition defender.
Commentator Grace Gill slammed the Australian’s for their lack of quality in possession.
‘After what looked like a really promising attack with five yellow shirts streaming ahead, just the three blue Brazil shirts to defend.
‘Just couldn’t get that pass right in that final moment, that final bit of execution that quality the Matildas need in that final third is not there at the moment and it’s hurting them,’ Gill said on Raso’s poor cross.
Ex-Australian football player Andy Harper also gave his appraisal of the Matilda’s performance, claiming Brazil surpassed the Aussies in transition.
‘The difference between the teams is the quality in transition,” Harper said on Paramount Plus.
‘Australia have had a greater share of good circumstances but haven’t made the Brazil keeper be excellent.
‘Brazil have had fewer chances and they’ve made Teagan Micah be excellent. And I think that’s the story.’
Defender Ellie Carpenter also made several scything runs from the back to try to ignite the attack.
The Matildas will play two more friendlies in this international window against Chinese Taipei.
The first match is set to come in Melbourne on Wednesday followed by a clash in Geelong on Saturday.