New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has admitted his side displayed defensive vulnerabilities that Slovenia ultimately capitalised on late, to draw their match 1-1 on Sunday night in Perth.
The Matildas dominated possession and looked likely to keep a clean sheet to close out their two-match series with Slovenia before stumbling in the final 20 minutes.
In the first minute of stoppage time, returning goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold appeared to make a save with the hosts under duress.
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The Matildas’ Kyra Cooney-Cross Slovenia’s Dominika Conc contest for the ball. James Worsfold via Getty Images
But Arnold’s dive at the left post deflected the initial shot towards the middle of the box, directly into the path of Slovenia’s Mirjam Kastelec.
The midfielder then brushed off the defensive pressure of Winonah Heatley and Clare Hunt to get to the ball first and score the team’s first-ever goal against Australia.
Speaking post-match, Montemurro explained that the equaliser was caused by a midfield issue rather than a defensive one.
In retrospect, the Matildas’ midfield was not compact enough and the team did not press effectively from the front.
“We weren’t defending from the front. The reality is, to play the football we want to play, your best defenders are your front three or front four, and the distances got long, and that’s where we suffered,” the coach said.
Slovenia’s Mirjam Kastelec celebrates with teammates after scoring the equaliser against the Matildas. Paul Kane via Getty Images
With fewer turnovers than Thursday night’s 3-0 win over Slovenia, Montemurro felt the team was building towards his preferred style of play.
“It’s interesting, the results should have been [swapped] the other way [from] the other day. I think [Slovenia] should have been 1-1 and tonight should have been more [high scoring],” he said.
With the national team, Montemurro is trying to implement a specific, proactive, and possession-based style of football. This extends to attacking play.
“They are starting to understand the importance of preparing to go forward, and they were picking moments to go forward, which was great,” Montemurro said.
“That means that we’re inviting pressure and we’re comfortable under pressure.
“That was probably the biggest thing on Thursday night, we weren’t good when there was a bit of pressure applied, but today we were a lot better, and the belief is coming.
Despite being only two matches into his tenure, Montemurro noted that progress is coming in good time.
PJoe Montemurro looks on during the international friendly match between the Matildas and Slovenia. Paul Kane via Getty Images
“Some of the attacking movement was stuff that I wasn’t expecting, to be honest,” he said.
“So, we’re ahead of schedule in terms of where we need to be with breaking lines and with going forward. But there’s still a lot of work to do.”
With the tight turnaround between matches, Montemurro stated that the side had to make “prescribed” changes to manage player load and fatigue.
The Matildas made six changes to their line-up on Sunday, starting Arnold, Kaitlyn Torpey, Charli Grant, Kyra Cooney-Cross, eventual goal scorer Michelle Heyman and Remy Siemsen.
“That obviously affected the game, there’s no doubt about that, but that is no way an excuse because every player that came on did what they needed to do, and all credit to Slovenia for putting us under pressure in the last seven-eight minutes,” Montemurro said.
The Matildas will next kick off their two-match series against Panama in Bunbury on Saturday night.