Matildas

A late Portugal goal has denied the Matildas what would have been a remarkable victory just three days after they were thrashed 7-0 by Spain.

Ibini’s goal – scored from close range after a pinpoint Gielnik cross – broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute before Encarnaçao’s equaliser ensured a win eluded Australia. Leading 1-0 after Princess Ibini scored for the first time in a Matildas jersey, the Australians had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Telma Encarnaçao equalised in the 87th minute. The other change in a reshuffled starting team was Remy Siemsen coming in for Cortnee Vine.

Having been outplayed for much of the match, the Matildas were lucky to have even been in the game, spared only by Portugal's wastefulness in front of goal ...

But those changes – and a formation swap – did little for the struggling Matildas, who were on the back foot from the opening whistle. The Australians started the second half in promising fashion. Remy Siemsen led the line on her sixth cap, the striker chasing a first international goal on an extremely windy day in Portugal. It was her first goal for the national team. The match became increasingly end-to-end, and Gielnik sent a volley goalwards from the edge of the area in stoppage time, but it was well saved. Youngster Charlotte Grant – Australia’s best performer in the defeat to Spain – had been deployed from the start as a centre-back, but was moved to her favoured right-back role.

Newest centurion Lydia Williams and the CommBank Matildas have seen victory and a clean sheet snatched from them, after an 87th Portugal equaliser, ...

Having flown to the other side of the Iberian Peninsuela for the clash, the 34-year-old and her teammates were met with less than ideal conditions in the Portuguese capital. Tony Gustavsson made a tactical switch midway through the first half to help wrestle back momentum, with Charlotte Grant and Courtney Nevin switched. It was the right flank that proved pivotal again after Gielnik received a well-placed Van Egmond through-ball.

Portugal 1-1 Australia (Encarnacao 87; Ibini-Isei 73) · Goalkeeper Lydia Williams makes two key late saves.

After not playing against world No 7 Spain, the veteran shot-stopper captained Gustavsson’s team to celebrate her 100-game milestone. The goal though, would have been ruled out for offside if VAR was in use. The Matildas bounced back from their 7-0 drubbing by Spain at the weekend by claiming a 1-1 draw against Portugal in their second and final friendly of the June international window in Estoril.

Australia have put the horror of last week's 7-0 thrashing in Spain behind them, drawing 1-1 in their...

Encarnacao could have won it just a minute later, and then with the last kick of the game deep into added time, but Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams saved on both occasions. But the home side, ranked 30th in the world and 18 spots below the Australians, levelled from close range in the 87th minute through substitute Telma Encarnacao after a sloppy turnover. In their first meeting since 2018, and fourth overall, the hosts enjoyed the majority of possession and chances in the opening half at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota in Estoril.

The Matildas have drawn 1-1 with Portugal in an international friendly on Wednesday morning (AEST), just three days after their demoralising 7-0 defeat at ...

Encarnação then went on the hit the post with a volley in the dying stages of the match, but the Matildas nervously held on to secure a 1-1 result. More chances began to flow for the Matildas in the second half, with Larissa Crummer notably firing a shot over the bar. Portugal continued to create chances whilst Australia failed to register a shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

The Matildas finish their two-game European tour with a 1-1 draw against Portugal, three days after suffering an embarrassing 7-0 thrashing in Spain.

The Australians had come in for criticism after their second-half collapse against Spain on Sunday. The Matildas will begin their campaign in the AFF Women's Championship in the Philippines against the hosts next Monday night. - The Matildas will face The Philippines in their first match of the AFF Women's Championships next Monday The Matildas have put the horror of last week's 7-0 thrashing in Spain behind them, drawing 1-1 in their international friendly against Portugal.

Great news for Australia with Katrina Gorry deemed fit enough to play on. The medics give her the green light and she is back on the field.

Portugal are ranked 30th in the world with the Matildas 12th. Looking to this morning’s match against Portugal, Gustavsson has made a handful of changes including bringing experienced goalkeeper Lydia Williams back between the posts, with Remy Siemsen also coming in to the starting side. Portugal look the better in these opening minutes and are causing problems for Australia with a high-pressing game. “I’m actually surprised that people are surprised because that is where we are. The Portuguese are offering a bit more of a physical challenge than Spain did last week and Matildas’ midfielder Katrina Gorry has come off worse for wear after one heavy challenge. She’s in significant pain receiving treatment on her left knee.

Australia have put the horror of last week's 7-0 thrashing in Spain behind them, drawing 1-1 in their...

"What I'd say is the first half was really tough mentally because the wind was really hard and you saw all the technical mistakes that we made in the first half. "We talked about game management, time management, smart decisions on the ball. Princess came in and made a really big impact," Gustavsson said.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson says debuts will be few and far between in future build-up to next year's...

"(We've had) seven debutants in 14 months but you're going to see very few debutants from now on to the World Cup." "You can say I didn't do it at this camp ... but the plan was to do it and we were thinking about well-being here and we changed the focus of this camp. "We're starting to narrow things down now to the World Cup," Gustavsson told reporters.

After a 7-0 loss to Spain and a 1-1 draw with Portugal, the Matildas appear no closer to meeting the nation's growing expectations.

A senior national team should not work on developing players at the same time as trying to win games. But that, as we have seen, is only part of the picture. And when understood in the context of their history, it is where they have always been. This does not, of course, absolve Gustavsson of – in his own words – controlling what he can control. Portugal, meanwhile, has provided a different perspective on where Australia currently sits in the international pecking order. This is the picture that Gustavsson sees. They are about where they have always been. As Gustavsson said following the loss: It was never a question that Spain would win, but simply by how much. With the Women's World Cup around the corner, it's understandable that fans and the media are becoming restless. Their recent 7-0 loss to Spain and Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Portugal have only added darker paint to the portrait. It is the picture that the players see. A different and more complicated picture has emerged.

Matildas wunderkind Mary Fowler has taken the biggest step of her fledgling career, joining English powerhouse Manchester City...

"I really admire the team's style of play. "Mary is a without doubt one of the most exciting young talents in the game right now and we're absolutely thrilled to have her join us here at City," City coach Gareth Taylor said in a statement. "I'm still young and I've got a lot to learn, so being at a club like Manchester City where I'll be surrounded by amazing staff and coaches, as well as playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world, I feel that I have everything I need to fulfil my potential."

Matildas wunderkind Mary Fowler has taken the biggest step of her fledgling career, joining English powerhouse Manchester City on a four-year deal.

"I really admire the team's style of play. The 19-year-old joins City from Montpellier and is set to play in the Women's Super League and Women's Champions League alongside Matildas teammates Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy. - Fowler is set to play in the Women's Super League alongside Matildas teammates Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy

From Cairns to the world stage, local treasure Mary Fowler has signed a four-year deal with Manchester City in the biggest move of her career yet.

“I’m still young and I’ve still got a lot to learn so being at a club like Man City I’m not only surrounded by amazing staff and coaches, but I’ve got the chance to be playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world,” she said. “She has a maturity beyond her years but for her, she’s excited to come to England to learn and grow as a player. “Mary is a without doubt one of the most exciting young talents in the game right now and we’re absolutely thrilled to have her join us here at City,” Head Coach Gareth Taylor said. “I have a few teams that I’ve always wanted to play with, and Man City is one of those so I am really excited and honoured to get the chance to play with this team,” she said. “When you watch City play, you see football – you see how beautiful it is and you can really fall in love with the game just by watching City play, the girls and the boys. - She shot to fame last year with a stellar performance for the Matildas in the Tokyo Olympics

CommBank Matildas forward Mary Fowler has officially signed for Manchester City for the upcoming Barclays FAWSL season on a four-year contract, ...

“I’m still young and I’ve got a lot to learn, so being at a club like Manchester City where I’ll be surrounded by amazing staff and coaches, as well as playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world, I feel that I have everything I need to fulfil my potential.” Fowler said in a statement: “I really admire the team’s style of play – when City play, you see football and how beautiful it is, and you can really fall in love with the game just by watching them, both the women and the men’s teams. The 19-year-old signs with City after spending the last two seasons with Montpellier in the Division 1 Féminine and off the back of a memorable year with the Matildas.