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Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler issue exposed as Andy Harper calls out massive Matildas problem

Australia suffered a second-straight loss to Brazil, with a glaring issue clear for all to see.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·3-min read

Football commentator Andy Harper has called out the Matildas' lack of potency in front of goal against Brazil, with Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler's absences greatly felt on Sunday night. As well as being without Kerr (injured) and Fowler (personal reasons), the Matildas also lost captain Steph Catley in the warm-up after she felt tightness in her leg.

Despite the key absences, the Matildas still performed gallantly and only went down 2-1. But one could argue they squandered too many chances and actually should have won. Without Kerr and Fowler - their two biggest attacking weapons - the Matildas lacked some quality up front.

Andy Harper alongside Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr.
Andy Harper (R) has called out the Matildas' attacking issues without Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr (L). Image: Getty

“The difference between the teams is the quality in transition,” Harper said in commentary for Network 10. “Australia have had a greater share of good circumstances but haven’t made the Brazil keeper be excellent. Brazil have had fewer chances and they’ve made (Matildas keeper) Teagan Micah be excellent. And I think that’s the story.”

Fellow commentator Grace Gill said it was a worrying sign when the Matildas couldn't capitalise on an attacking raid in the second half despite having more players than the Brazilian defence. “After what looked like a really promising attack with five yellow shirts streaming ahead, just the three blue Brazil shirts to defend," Gill said. "Just couldn’t get that pass right in that final moment, that final bit of execution that quality the Matildas need in that final third is not there at the moment and it’s hurting them."

Tom Sermanni, pictured here speaking to his Matildas players.
Tom Sermanni speaks to his Matildas players during their clash with Brazil. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Kerr is still recovering after rupturing her ACL back in January, while Fowler has opted against playing these friendlies due to physical and mental fatigue. The absence of the superstars has been glaring for all to see, although the games have allowed interim coach Tom Sermanni to blood some new talent.

The margin on Sunday night could have been far worse for the Matildas if not for three desperate saves by goalkeeper Micah, who replaced Mackenzie Arnold to start in her first international since playing Canada last December. Brazil were far slicker in attack in the first half, but Micah restricted the damage with some fine work in goal.

"With a little bit better decision-making and more finesse in the final third I think we would have got something out of the game," Sermanni said. "I felt quite positive in the end. The second half of the second half I thought we dominated in the end. I thought the changes we made added energy and quality to the team."

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Caitlin Foord was brilliant for the Matildas once again, setting up a superb goal for Hayley Raso in the first half. Foord also scored Australia's lone goal in a 3-1 loss to Brazil last week, and was given a well-deserved break in the second half.

Foord was replaced on the left wing by Sharn Freier as Sermanni made a numver the changes. He gave Natasha Prior her national team debut, while Emily Gielnik, Daniela Galic and Charlotte Grant were all brought on in the second half.

The match opened up in the second stanza, but both sides were unable to find a killer blow. Alanna Kennedy came closest with a swinging free kick that was just tipped over the bar, but the Matildas had to settle for a 2-1 loss.

with AAP