Matildas stunned by physical Panama in first defeat of Joe Montemurro era

The Guardian

a day ago

Veteran striker Michelle Heyman has fluffed a last-gasp chance to score the equaliser as the Matildas suffered a shock 1-0 loss to world No 56 Panama in Bunbury. Panama stunned the home crowd when they took a 56th-minute lead through 19-year-old substitute Sherline King in Saturday's wet and windy clash in Western Australia.
Australia pushed hard for an equaliser, and it looked set to arrive in the 96th minute when a goalkeeper's save fell at the feet of Heyman. But her reflex left-foot strike from point-blank range sent the ball over the crossbar, with Panama's players celebrating wildly upon hearing the full-time whistle just moments later.
It marked the Matildas' first loss under new coach Joe Montemurro, who had led the side to a 3-0 win and 1-1 draw against Slovenia in his previous two matches in charge. Although the loss to Panama came as a huge surprise and also marked a big wake-up call, the Matildas fielded a side missing a host of their biggest stars.
Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler were all absent from the current international window. Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Sharn Freeier exited the squad following the Slovenia series, while Amy Sayer and Charli Grant were rested.
Montemurro made a whopping 10 changes to his starting side against the Central Americans, with Kaitlyn Torpey the only player in the starting XI who also started in last week's draw with Slovenia.
Panama's day started on a horrible note, with goalkeeper Yenith Bailey lasting less than a minute before hyperextending her left knee while attempting a save.
The Matildas controlled possession and territory in the first half, but there were still danger signs. Defender Natasha Prior had to time her sliding block to perfection to deny Panama striker Riley Tanner a close-range shot on goal.
Tanner was at it again in the 41st minute, with her powerful strike from a difficult angle slamming into the post. In between Tanner's threats, the Matildas wasted several good chances.
Their best first-half opportunity fell at the feet of Emily Gielnik, who had the goal at her mercy but got her timing all wrong as she attempted to connect with Holly McNamara's dangerous cross.
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King gave Panama the lead when she latched on to Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah's save to power home a volley.
The Matildas pushed hard for an equaliser, with Montemurro unleashing a number of debutants off the bench, but in the end it was Heyman's missed chance that proved to be the one that got away.
The Matildas enjoyed 66% possession but only unleashed four shots on target for the match.