The Matildas were unable to back up Friday's fantastic performance against China, today putting up a poor display to go down to Canada 2-0 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, match three of the Pacific Cup.
Dianne Alagich was sorely missed in the heart of the Australian defence, sidelined by injury, whilst striker Alicia Ferguson was suspended. Numerous changes to the starting lineup together with forced positional changes made for a different look side.
The Matildas were nothing like the team which had shown such footballing flair and teamwork earlier in the event. Against Canada who had been pummelled 9-1 by the US two days earlier, Australia consistently gave away possession, and looked sluggish and disorganised.
The Matildas started the match in solid fashion, spreading the ball around well, but by midway through the first half, lost all sense of direction.
Canada pressured up the middle of the park and gratefully accepted the defensive holes laid out before them.
Inevitably the visitors soon took the lead. A Canadian corner was played out to Isabelle Morneau on the edge of the 18-yard who provided a neat lobbed ball over the top to the far post. Sharpshooter Christine Sinclair ghosted in on the blind side and easily planted in the header from close range in the 32nd minute.
The Canadian lead was doubled two minutes before the break, veteran attacker Silvana Burtini running at and beating her marker before unleashing a fantastic curling strike from the left edge of the 18-yard box into the top right corner of goal.
Canada continued to create numerous chances early in the second half. Four minutes in on the quick break, Christine Latham rocked the crossbar with a drive from 16 metres. Soon after, Australia lost possession in their own half allowing Latham to run unmarked at goal, keeper Leanne Trimboli making a brilliant diving save at the striker's feet to avoid a third goal.
The Matildas finally were able to create a few attacks of their own late in the game, but never really looked like coming back.
"I could tell before the game we weren't up for it," said Coach Ian Murray. "Canada won every 60/40 ball - they wanted it more than we did. We're lucky they didn't score four or five. We must have thought it would just happen. But we can't go to the Olympics and play one brilliant game then lose the next two. Every game you have to be at your best."