The Matildas will enter the World Cup on their worst losing run in three years after a 3-0 thrashing to the Netherlands.
Australia showed spark but lacked the clinical finishing of the Dutch in Eindhoven earlier on Sunday morning, in front of a national record crowd for a women's football match.
A brace from best afield livewire Shanice van de Sanden and Vivianne Miedema's sharp effort sent the Netherlands to the World Cup on a high and condemned the Matildas to a confidence-sapping defeat.
The result follows a 5-3 loss to world champions USA in April.
Not since 2016, when Australia lost to Brazil and Canada in Brazil for the Olympics, has the world No.6 side lost back to back matches.
Advertisement
At the Philips Stadion, Ante Milicic saw plenty of bright positioning and ball movement from his team, and a decided lack of composure at the back.
Australia shaded the first half but received no reward.
The best chances fell to Hayley Raso, who put two efforts – from a Sam Kerr cross and Tameka Yallop's cutback – straight at the Dutch goalkeeper.
The Netherlands were finding joy out wide, where former world player of the year Elise Martens and van de Sanden were beating full-backs Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter regularly.
Van de Sanden was troubled more often by the offside flag than the Matildas defence, and broke through in first-half injury time.
The 26-year-old peeled off Emily van Egmond at the back post to head home Sherida Spitse's free kick.
Five minutes afRead More – Source
The Matildas will enter the World Cup on their worst losing run in three years after a 3-0 thrashing to the Netherlands.
Australia showed spark but lacked the clinical finishing of the Dutch in Eindhoven earlier on Sunday morning, in front of a national record crowd for a women's football match.
A brace from best afield livewire Shanice van de Sanden and Vivianne Miedema's sharp effort sent the Netherlands to the World Cup on a high and condemned the Matildas to a confidence-sapping defeat.
The result follows a 5-3 loss to world champions USA in April.
Not since 2016, when Australia lost to Brazil and Canada in Brazil for the Olympics, has the world No.6 side lost back to back matches.
Advertisement
At the Philips Stadion, Ante Milicic saw plenty of bright positioning and ball movement from his team, and a decided lack of composure at the back.
Australia shaded the first half but received no reward.
The best chances fell to Hayley Raso, who put two efforts – from a Sam Kerr cross and Tameka Yallop's cutback – straight at the Dutch goalkeeper.
The Netherlands were finding joy out wide, where former world player of the year Elise Martens and van de Sanden were beating full-backs Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter regularly.
Van de Sanden was troubled more often by the offside flag than the Matildas defence, and broke through in first-half injury time.
The 26-year-old peeled off Emily van Egmond at the back post to head home Sherida Spitse's free kick.
Five minutes afRead More – Source
