The CommBank Young Matildas have opened their FIFA U20 Women's World Cup™ campaign with a 2-0 defeat to host nation Colombia.
Estadio El Campin in Bogota was packed and loud, as Australia had the opportunity to take on the host nation in game one of the tournament for the second consecutive World Cup. It was an opportunity that players had expressed excitement for in the build up and the crowd certainly delivered.
Leah Blayney's starting eleven was a combination of the familiar and the new. Tanaye Morris and Alicia Woods both made their competitive junior national team debuts from the start, while Jess Nash reprized her role as captain in the back line.
Australia started on the front foot, threatening the hosts with a succession of corners and wide attacks. Johnson was lively, as was Indiana Dos Santos in the middle of the park as the Young Matildas tried to fashion clear-cut opportunities.
The closest that they came in the first half was from a Zara Kruger ball that came agonizingly close to bouncing over the head of Colombia goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo.
At the back, Alexia Apostalakis made an important block after a free kick in the 22nd minute, while Chloe Lincoln remained rock solid at the back, making several important saves.
However, early in the second half, it was the Colombians who struck, with Yunaira Lopez opening the scoring. The ball was initially cleared after a corner but it fell to the feet of Lopez, who lashed it home on the half-volley in spectacular fashion to send the home crowd into raptures.
That goal prompted three changes for Australia in the 61st minute. Shay Hollman, Peta Trimis and Amber Luchtmeijer came on in place of Jynaya Dos Santos, Zara Kruger and Tanaye Morris. It was Luchtmeijer's CommBank Young Matildas debut.
Australia thought they equalized soon after. Avaani Prakash, who came on for Alicia Woods not long after the triple change, did really well to ride through a challenge and poke a ball through to Indiana Dos Santos. Dos Santos made no mistake from close range. After video review, however, the goal was ruled out due to a foul in the build-up.
It was only minutes later that Linda Caicedo found the second goal for the opposition. From a right-sided cross, the 19-year-old was there to finish in the middle of the penalty box.
Despite a late push from Australia, the score would remain 2-0 in Colombia's favour. All eyes now turn to the second match against Mexico on Wednesday morning (AEST).
MATCH SCHEDULE | FIFA U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP COLOMBIA 2024™
Colombia 2:0 Australia
Date: Saturday, 31 August 2024 / Sunday, 1 September 2024 (AUS)
Time: 6.00pm (local) / 9.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia
Mexico v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 3 September 2024 / Wednesday, 4 September 2024 (AUS)
Time: 5.00pm (local) / 8.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia
Broadcast: 10Play
Australia v Cameroon
Date: Friday, 6 September 2024 / Saturday, 7 September 2024 (AUS)
Time: 5.00pm (local) / 8.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia
Broadcast: 10Play
