Player ratings: The 'meek' moments that sunk Matildas in more Asian Cup heartbreak for Australia
Updated . First published at
The Matildas huffed and puffed but they couldn't blow Japan's house down as the visitors claimed the Asian Cup with a 1-0 win at a packed Stadium Australia.
Maika Hamano's brilliant first half strike proved the difference.
Here's how the Matildas players rated on a heartbreaking night.
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The Matildas look dejected after losing. Getty
1. Mackenzie Arnold (7) – Could do little with the goal as Hamano's shot nestled in the corner of her net. Was largely untroubled coming up with one big save early in the second half which she parried away comfortably.
7. Stephanie Catley (7.5) – Outstanding in the heart of the Matildas defence as she brought a calmness and control to the backline. Her ability to maintain possession and ignite attacks with her cultured left foot yet again showcased her undoubted quality.
3. Winonah Heatley (7) – Another performance of huge quality from one of the Matildas growing new stars. Composed both in and out of possession as she helped restrict Japan to very limited opportunities.
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Kaitlyn Torpey of the Matildas reacts after missing a shot on goal. Getty
8. Kaitlyn Torpey (5.5) – Struggled at times as Japan looked to overload her side with runners from deep. Snatched at a glorious opportunity in the second half when she found herself free in the Japanese box.
23. Kyra Cooney-Cross (7) – Grew into the game as she looked to get on the ball from deep and ignite the Matildas attack. Was a constant link in the midfield with some lovely touches and made some crucial defensive interceptions.
9. Caitlin Foord (6.5) – Spurned three glorious first half chances as her usual reliable finishing deserted her. Was a constant threat to the Japanese defence as her clever runs constantly found pockets of space.
Caitlin Foord of the Matildas is challenged by Saki Kumagai of Japan. Getty
11. Mary Fowler (8) – Was the outstanding player on the pitch as her ability to pick a pass and find space in small pockets shone through. Her tenacious defensive work should have been rewarded early in the first half when she out enthused the Japanese defenders and laid it into the feet of Foord who hit a meek left foot shot straight at Yamashita in the Japanese goal.
14. Alanna Kennedy (6) – Was solid as she sat in front of the back four and looked to disrupt the mobility of the Japanese forward players. Pushed further forward as the Matildas went in search of an equaliser and very nearly came close to scoring her sixth goal of the tournament after she connected to a Ellie Carpenter cross deep into the second half.
19. Katrina Gorry (6) – Worked tirelessly for the team as she looked to thwart and deny the Japanese midfield space and time. Looked to push forward whenever possible from midfield to create numbers in attack.
Sam Kerr of the Matildas at Stadium Australia. Getty
20. Sam Kerr (7) – Her lung busting runs in behind the Japanese defence were a constant outlet for the Matildas as she looked to stretch the Japanese backline. Provided a superb cut back late in the first half after exploiting the space in behind which Foord directed wide.
21. Ellie Carpenter (7.5) – Defensively outstanding as her pace and ability to cover space yet again highlighted her growing maturity as a player, became more of an attacking outlet in the second half as she pushed forward with regularity.
16. Hayley Raso (5.5) - Came on as the Matildas searched for an equaliser in the second half. Looked to push into the box whenever possible as the Matildas mounted an assault on the Japanese goal mouth.
