Australia's place in the world game has recently faced a harsh reality after such a momentous period within the last two years. No more significant example proves this than the Young Matildas finishing their World Cup campaign in Colombia goalless, losing all three group games and crashing out somewhat surprisingly.
The Young Matildas ahead of their opening Women's World Cup match against hosts Colombia. (Image: Football Australia)
The Young Matildas' U20 Women's World Cup campaign was one that, in truth, never really got going. Drawn into Group A with hosts Colombia, featuring 2023 World Cup breakout star Linda Caicedo, things might have been predictably tough for a squad that was dispatched in the Asian Cup semi-finals back in March, but it was not such a guarantee from the outside looking in either.
Elsewhere in their group, a Mexican team with an almost entirely domestic or American college-based squad and a Cameroon outfit that had never been to the tournament should have given an air of confidence to Australian onlookers. Compared to other circumstances, it was not the hardest situation teams of a similar calibre to Australia would have faced.
Individual talent emerging from the A-League Women's competition and elsewhere in the domestic structure is another reason Australia should still be confident in these youth squads, and this particular outfit was no different.
For example, Central Coast Mariners forward Peta Trimis was on the plane to Colombia as someone who had not put a foot wrong in her career. Most of the squad, on form, presented a very healthy and able team.
Shay Hollman, Maddie Caspers, Indiana Dos Santos, Zara Kruger, Jessika Nash, and Naomi Chinnama came in with a lot of senior minutes, boasting a team that Australians unmistakenly had a right to put a lot of faith in. In essence, it was an in-form A-Leagues XI being sent to the tournament.
The Young Matildas squad that was sent to Colombia largely featured players with much experience in the A-League Women. (Image: Football Australia)
On the pitch, a hearty start to life against Colombia was a sign that not all seemed lost and that a pretty competent effort was put forward from a usually high-intensity Young Matildas side.
As the game grew on, the home crowd in Bogotá and the Colombian team made the match one to forget from an Australian perspective. Yunaira López found the breakthrough after 58 minutes, and the star Caicedo put the result beyond doubt at the 75th-minute mark—to a roar rivalling even the most passionate of men's crowds in the South American country.
The fightback from an opening loss would have to come from the remaining schedule and was achievable, making it all the more disappointing that the Mexico and Cameroon matches played out as they did. With Mexico in game two, their intensity and pressing left Australia locked from any guarantee of controlling proceedings, and a tight fixture would eventuate.
A missed penalty from Western United's Kahli Johnson in the 38th minute at 0-0 could have changed fortunes, but it was not to be; Mexico, like the hosts, grew into the contest, and a fortunate deflection gave them the lead on 57 minutes, never to look back.
Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney has led the side to a Semi-Final appearance at the Asian Cup along with an early World Cup exit in 2024. (Image: Ann Odong/Football Australia)
A second loss left a matchday three scenario with Australia potentially progressing through a convincing victory over debutants Cameroon, who sat on one point from their first two matches.
It was never really what the football gods had planned, though. Cameroon created the better chances throughout the first half. On the verge of half-time, Johnson again had a golden opportunity that went begging before Achta Njoya gave the Cameroonians the lead, proving that Australia's mentality was unusually stunted by the way matches had played out.
In all three games, a second-half rally put the match beyond doubt. Naomi Eto provided Cameroon's 2-0 lead in the 61st, and the campaign came to a shameful end for the Australians.
Ultimately, while the outlook is grim, there are numerous takeaways despite what seems to be a repeating pattern, and fans should still be optimistic.
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For what it's worth, the Young Matildas, given their youthfulness, can only learn a myriad of lessons from how the campaign played out, especially the understanding that matches are decided by moments and at the very top, providing one or two winning moments can be all it takes to determine a result.
This experience will undoubtedly harden the careers of the senior players in this squad. Should there be one positive from the nature of the losses, Australian domestic football and the landscape should still benefit from the Young Matildas competing at the World Cup, regardless of the disappointing results.
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