Matildas' Asian Cup defeat a setback that could prove a World Cup boon

There has been a swagger about the Australian women’s national team in recent months. And with a 13-game unbeaten run over the new year - which included their first win against the US, three victories over Brazil and the Tournament of Nations title - it has been a justified swagger.

The Matildas’ phenomenal rise to their highest-ever position of seventh in the world rankings, spearheaded by the NWSL’s record-breaking striker Sam Kerr, has marked them as a real threat on the world stage.

With sold-out stadia for domestic friendlies, women’s football in Australia is on the march, and the arrival of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup - and opportunity to secure World Cup qualification - promised the first real competitive test of this impressive side. And expectations were high.

Runners-up in 2014 to Japan and winners in 2010, they’ve never been far off the top in this tournament, and they have taken their play up a notch since falling short in Vietnam. Except rather than the statement win they hoped for ahead of France 2019, Alen Stajcic’s side stuttered through the competition before losing the final to holders Japan.

With three normal-time stalemates and one win (the 8-0 group staging thumping of Vietnam) on their way to the final, things weren’t going to plan and the Amman showpiece epitomised the problems that were evident at each stage of the tournament.

The Australian’s dominated, they dominated possession with 62% to Japan’s 38% and they had 23 shots on target to Japan’s five. Yet this is a game where getting the ball in the back of the net is king, and Japan punished the Matildas’ wastefulness with a goal on the counter from their only shot in the second half to take the crown.

Perhaps confidence had taken a hit, they were forced to rely on Kerr’s last gasp effort to drag themselves out of the group on goal difference. While the chaotic performance against Thailand in the semi-finals, that saw Alanna Kennedy rescue the side with a 91st-minute equaliser to take the game to extra-time then penalties, showed a tactical slip uncommon to Australia’s 2017 coach of the year, Stajcic, who fielded a weakened side with one eye on the final.

There are lessons to be learnt in all areas, the coach no exception, and it is certainly better that they are learnt before next summer with qualification now secured. Penalties will surely be on the the training agenda, Elise Kellond-Knight’s tame effort inside 15 minutes in the final was easily saved by the superb Ayaka Yamashita. While in the shootout with Thailand, Lisa De Vanna’s saved effort and Van Egmond’s miss luckily didn’t prove costly.

With playmaker Katrina Gorry clearly not at her best and benched for the final, the Matildas were missing a creative edge. Finding a way to unleash Sam Kerr - who scored 36 goals in 43 appearances for club and country in 2017 - as teams double up on her will be crucial in the coming months. There is a bright future for this side.

Although they lost they were brilliant in the final and the average age of players in the starting XI was 25, with just three players in the squad over 30. And those that shone in Jordan still have their prime playing years ahead of them. Captain Steph Catley, 24, used at both centre back and left back, was incredibly effective when free to cause trouble down the wing and whip balls in.

Midfielder Emily van Egmond, also 24, seemed to find space in the most congested of areas - her turn and nutmeg to take three Japan players out of the equation a highlight. Clare Polkinghorne in defence, an elder statesman of the side at 29, was solid as a rock alongside impressive 23-year-old Orlando Pride centre back Kennedy - who scored twice in Jordan. While 17-year-old Ellie Carpenter at right back showed why she was worthy of a final start after making her debut at 15 with a lively and assured performance throughout.

With the development of the W-League and the new pay deal for domestic players in place, a dramatic increase in the numbers of talented young player coming through is on the horizon. This tournament may not have gone to plan, but measuring confidence and upping focus ahead of the World Cup will do no end of good for this growing young side.