Matildas coach Alan Stajcic has been left to rue a lack of ideas in the side’s opening 2-0 loss to Canada at the Rio Olympics on Thursday morning.
Australia could not have got off to a worse start, conceding in the first 20 seconds with Janine Beckie giving Canada the lead.
Shalina Zadorksy was shown a red card after 18 minutes for a challenge on Michelle Heyman, but the Matildas could not break down a resolute Canadian defence despite playing with an extra number for the majority of the contest.
Talking Points: Rio Olympics – Canada 2 Australia 0
The Green and Gold came close in the opening 45, striking the crossbar, but opportunities on goal began to fade thereafter.
While lamenting his own side’s struggle to create as the game wore on, Stajcic praised Canada’s sturdy back line, admitting they deserved three points.
“We’re obviously very disappointed. The match was there for the taking and we weren’t good enough to take it,” Stajcic said.
“Canada defended and ground out the second half and we barely created a chance. Canada worked hard and denied us a lot of opportunities … we didn’t have the creativity and for all our hard work, they got us on the counter-attack, finished the game off and they deserved the victory.
“For me, the first half wasn’t too bad. It was the second half that was extremely disappointing. We had the extra player for the full 45 and just lacked the creativity, the decision-making, the awareness, the creativity, the quality that you need in the front third to unravel a hard working defence.
“I don’t think the goal in the first minute was a decisive factor, I think our second half performance for 45 minutes was the decisive factor in the result.
“They (Canada) worked tirelessly … I can’t even remember one chance in the second half to be honest. That’s how well they defended, and because of that they deserved the three points.”
The Matildas have a two-day turnaround before a crucial matchup with heavyweights Germany.
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