A cruel “reality check” from Germany could be the awakening the Matildas need heading into the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, according to Craig Foster.
Joe Montemurro needed little time to see the weaknesses in his team’s tactics, as Australia’s beloved national team suffered a 4-2 loss to Germany on Saturday.
Germany celebrate after their fourth goal against the Matildas. Getty Images
Germany needed half an hour to find the back of the net twice, with countless chances presented before those two goals also.
While Australia did manage to hit back via Sam Kerr in the final minute of stoppage time, Foster was critical of the lack of grit the team showed.
Better yet, he believes the slow start to the first half cost the Matildas a chance of victory against a higher ranked nation like Germany.
“It was a pretty disappointing performance in a lot of ways, particularly in the first half,” he said on Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
“I don’t think we were aggressive enough. In the second half, there were a few personnel changes, but in particular, we started to press a lot more and make it more difficult for Germany to play.
“I think that’s really critical. It was a little bit too passive in the first half.
“Holly McNamara scored a really beautiful goal, of course – was a good header from Sam. But Germany scored four and could have scored more, let’s be honest.”
Germany had entered that friendly game unbeaten in 10 months, with their last defeat coming in the Nations League final last year against Spain, who won 3-0.
The impressive unbeaten run is a promising sign for the team heading into the World Cup, especially since the last edition of the tournament Germany shocked the football world after failing to make it out of the group stage.
While the Matildas captivated the hearts of the Australian public at that World Cup, Montemurro will be thankful that tough opponents have been locked in for his side to get a taste of what is to come next year in Brazil.
Next up for the Tillies will be Haiti, world No.47, on Wednesday, who are currently on an upward growth path under head coach Pia Sundhage.
Hayley Raso is one of the experienced Tillies stars who will be hoping to make the World Cup team again next year. Getty Images
Haiti may be a lower-ranked opponent for Australia (world No.15), but Foster stressed the green and gold jerseys must step up all across the park.
“It was a reality check, [against Germany],” the former Socceroos captain said.
“So, it’s got everyone going, ‘oh, geez … there’s going to have to be a big step-up in performance level by the time we hit the World Cup’.”
Foster ended by noting that Montemurro does “not have a lot of time left” with the Matildas before next year’s World Cup, with only four international breaks left.
The ferocious attacking style of Colombia will be the challenge for Australia in the next international break, with other opponents yet to be locked in beyond that.
Regardless, all players will need to deliver impressive results on the field if they want any chance of being picked to represent the nation in Brazil next year.
