The Matildas’ miserable SheBelieves Cup campaign has ended on a sour note, with Ellie Carpenter injured as Australia lost 2-1 to Colombia to finish last in the invitational tournament staged in the US.
The same day Football Australia celebrated a year to go until the Asian Cup on home soil, the Matildas, still without a permanent head coach, slumped to their third defeat in a week.
A 2-1 defeat in San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium followed a 2-1 loss to the United States and 4-0 thumping at the hands of Japan – in a tournament meant to be ideal preparation for the Asian Cup.
Carpenter, who played 90 minutes in the first two games, was substituted with an apparent quad issue late in the first half.
Tony Gustavsson’s permanent successor won’t be in charge for Australia’s next games in April, with FA chief executive James Johnson confirming interim coach Tom Sermanni will take the reins against South Korea.
In San Diego, Wendy Bonilla’s cracking strike in the 15th minute gave Colombia the lead before Hayley Raso’s deflected strike – Australia’s only shot on target – saw the Tillies equalise midway through the second half.
The Matildas lost their third successive match at the SheBelieves Cup on Thursday AEDT, this time beaten 2-1 by Colombia (pictured from left, Hayley Raso and Mary Fowler)
The defeat comes after comedian Marty Sheargold was sacked by Triple M earlier this week following his scandalous and unprovoked attack on the squad over the airwaves
Sheargold took aim at Matildas superstar Sam Kerr and her fiancée Kristie Mewis (pictured together) during his shocking outburst
But Catalina Usme scored the winner with 73 minutes played with a deflected long-range shot.
The defeat comes after Marty Sheargold was sacked by Triple M following his scandalous and unprovoked attack on the squad on Tuesday.
Sheargold told listeners ‘there’s something wrong with the Matildas’ before comparing the team to ‘Year 10 girls’.
He then asked if superstar striker Sam Kerr and her fiancée Kristie Mewis ‘play the same position’.
When his co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralston tried to continue discussing the SheBelieves Cup, Sheargold jumped in, exclaiming: ‘Oh, she believes in what? It better be men.’
Following Sheargold’s remarks about Kerr and her fiancée Mewis, the conversation moved to Australia hosting the women’s Asian Cup next year.
‘Oh god. The Asian Cup,’ Sheargold said.
‘I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that. Got any men’s sport?’
Triple M released a statement on Wednesday evening following the shocking comments, stating it had ‘mutually agreed to part ways’ with the radio star after four years of working together.
