It’s the sight Matildas fans, coaches and players alike have been longing to see for 360 days: a fit-again Ellie Carpenter rampaging up and down the right flank.
On Friday night (AEST), the flying full-back made her long-awaited return to Matildas duty after an extended lay-off from football caused by an ACL tear.
Carpenter’s return came almost a year to the day since her last CommBank Matildas hitout, earning a start at right-back in a friendly clash with Scotland at Cherry Red Records Stadium in London.
Carpenter’s bright 62-minute shift was an overwhelming positive for the national camp to take away from an otherwise disappointing day at the office, which ended in a slender 1-0 defeat decided by Scotland’s Nicola Docherty’s sensational strike from distance.
“Obviously disappointed, we wanted to win this game,” Carpenter told Network 10 after the 1-0 loss. “We had a lot of chances – I guess we just need to be a bit more clinical in the front third. But yeah, disappointed.
“I’m feeling really good. I’ve had some good months at club in Lyon, and here obviously with my first game. I’m looking forward to the big game on Tuesday against England.
“I think the girls have been doing great. Wherever I’m put I’m just trying to do my best for the team and help win. For me I’m just trying to bring my qualities, and be Ellie.”
MATCH REPORT: Matildas 0-1 Scotland: Australia’s seven-game winning run ends in World Cup tune-up
One of the most exciting aspects of Carpenter’s return was her link-up with Liberty A-League star Cortnee Vine down the right flank; as Gustavsson unleashed the Sydney FC winger and Olympique Lyonnais defender down the same wing, excitement brewed in the Network 10 studios for former Matilda Grace Gill and analyst Andy Harper.
“One of the first driving runs as she made up the field, as we so know Ellie Carpenter to do, any Matildas fans’ eyes would have lit up, and said: ‘She’s back’,” Gill said. “What a joy to see her back out on the field.
“Really exciting to see that partnership, the link-up between her and Cortnee Vine. The speed between those two players would just be frightening.
“I think she made an overlapping run around Cortnee Vine – when you think about how fast Cortnee Vine is, it speaks to the speed and energy Ellie Carpenter has as well…. she’s going to be a key cog for the Matildas at the World Cup, and for many years to come.
“Post-ACL injury, Ellie Carpenter is still only 22-years-old. She’s got a good decade of football ahead of her.”
“And so does Cortnee Vine!” Harper added.
“There’s a decade of dynamism down that right-hand side. It’s quite frightening.”
The Matildas’ seven-game wining streak came to an end after the 1-0 loss; Nicola Docherty’s exceptional second-half strike from the edge of the penalty area ignited the friendly fixture, with chances aplenty at both ends after a cagey first half.
But despite hammering on the door throughout the second stanza, Tony Gustavsson’s side were unable to equal the ledger as they fell to their first defeat since September.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr was a surprise omission from the starting XI on Friday, with Larissa Crummer leading the line in her absence. Kerr was named on the bench but was an unused substitute throughout the 90 minutes.
Docherty struck in the first minute of the second half to put Scotland ahead, receiving the ball on the edge of the area from captain and former Melbourne City star Claire Emslie before controlling, sizing up the target and unleashing a looping strike off the right-hand post and into the top corner.
The superb finish was Docherty’s second-ever international goal.
Falling behind kicked the Matildas into action. Liberty A-League stars Cortnee Vine and Clare Hunt both struck the woodwork, with Mary Fowler denied by a commanding save by Scotland keeper Lee Gibson.
Alex Chidiac came off the bench to threaten off the left flank, before Gustavsson threw the dice one last time by sending centre-back Hunt up top to lead the line as one of two number nines.
The final whistle blew after five minutes of extra time, with Scotland holding firm to a 1-0 lead to end the Matildas seven-game winning run.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, up-to-date scores and biggest talking points from Matildas v Scotland on Friday night.
Isuzu UTE Road to July: Fascinating 33-game table puts World Cup debate into focus
