Match Report
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.
