Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Belo Horizonte: Australia exited the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in the cruelest of ways on Friday (local time) as the Matildas were beaten 7-6 on penalties by Brazil after the two teams had failed to find the net during 120 minutes of pulsating action.
Brazil captain Marta and 2014 AFC Women’s Player of the Year Katrina Gorry both missed their attempts from twelve yards, before Brazil custodian Barbara saved Alanna Kennedy’s effort to deny Alen Stajcic’s charges a first ever Olympic semi-final appearance.
Roared on by vociferous home support, Brazil had started the first half brightly and fired their first shot in anger on eight minutes when Formiga’s effort from distance was safely gathered by Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams.
Faced by an organised and highly disciplined Australian side, Brazil struggled to forge any genuine chances early on, although Debinha’s 16th minute long range shot did force Williams into a fine diving save.
Barbara then reacted quickly to smother the ball at the feet of the onrushing Samantha Kerr, and Lisa De Vanna rolled a shot agonisngly wide of the far post as Australia started to make an impression on the game.
Australia had another sight on goal with 28 minutes gone of an intriguing encounter, this time Kennedy testing Barbara following a neatly worked Emily van Egmond free-kick.
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