CommBank Matildas suffer 4-0 defeat against Japan in SheBelieves ...

The CommBank Matildas have been defeated 4-0 by world no.8 Japan in the opening game of the SheBelieves Cup.

Mina Tanaka scored a brace while Maika Hamano and Moeka Minami were also on the scoresheet in a dominant performance by the top-ranked Asian team.

Interim CommBank Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni named a familiar starting XI to begin the tournament, with close to a full complement of players to choose from. Tameka Yallop and Mackenzie Arnold were the only remaining starters from their final game of 2024 against Chinese Taipei.

Caitlin Foord played in the centre-forward role with Mary Fowler and Hayley Raso on either side. In midfield, the familiar duo of Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross returned, while Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy lined up in the heart of defence.

It was Japan who started stronger in freezing conditions in Houston. They opened the scoring in the sixth minute, with Mina Tanaka flicking on a Fuka Nagano ball past Mackenzie Arnold in goal.

Tanaka was a constant threat, and nearly scored again minutes later after being played through by Yui Hasegawa. She later hit the crossbar with a header in the 26th minute.

Australia’s best play of the first half came through a combination of Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord. A wonderful early ball from Cooney-Cross found the run of Foord who was bearing down on goal. Unfortunately for the CommBank Matildas, the flag was up for offside.

Tanaka would soon score the second that she had been threatening. A long ball into the penalty area wasn’t cleared by Australia, and Tanaka was able to capitalise, tucking it home past Arnold to give Japan a two-goal advantage before the half-time break.

The CommBank Matildas started the second half brightly, with forays into Japan’s half via the right-side combination of Carpenter and Raso.

However, it wouldn’t be long before Japan scored their third. Fantastic build-up play saw Tanaka turn provider, her ball into the box finding Maika Hamano who completed the move with a tidy finish.

Sermanni went to the bench for the first time in the 64th minute. Winonah Heatley, Charli Grant, Daniela Galic and Holly McNamara entered the field of play, replacing Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord.

The substitution marked 22-year-old Holly McNamara’s first appearance for the national team since 2022 after overcoming consecutive ACL injuries.

Emily van Egmond also entered the field as a national team player for the first time since joining Birmingham City, replacing Katrina Gorry in the 74th minute.

Japan’s fourth goal came soon after. Hikaru Kitagawa delivered a fantastic ball in that was headed home by Moeka Minami.

Natasha Prior came on for her first minutes of the SheBelieves Cup in the 85th minute, replacing Kyra Cooney-Cross. The change meant that Heatley stepped up into midfield from centre-back.

Charli Grant came close to scoring a consolation late in the game, her shot smashing off the crossbar. However, that would be the closest that Australia would come.

Attention now turns to the next game of the SheBelieves Cup against the United States on Monday morning (AEDT).

COMMBANK MATILDAS | SHEBELIEVES CUP | 17 – 27 FEBRUARY 2025

United States v CommBank MatildasDate: Sunday, 23 February 2025 (local) / Monday, 24 February (AEDT)Kick-off: 3.05pm MST (local) / 9.05am (AEDT)Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale (AZ) Broadcast: Paramount+Tickets: ussoccer.com/shebelieves/cup

CommBank Matildas v ColombiaDate: Wednesday, 26 February 2025 (local) / Thursday, 27 February (AEDT)Kick-off: 4.37pm PST (local) / 11.37am (AEDT)Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego (CA) Broadcast: Paramount+Tickets: ussoccer.com/shebelieves/cup