DOWN but not out, the Matildas progress to the bronze medal match of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with their heads held collectively high, after throwing everything at Sweden in a 1-0 Semi Final defeat on Monday night.
Sweden progress to the gold medal match against Canada after the Matildas saw a Sam Kerr finish from a free-kick routine late in the first half of the Semi Final ruled out for a blocking foul by Australia in the lead-up to the strike.
Fridolina Rolfö scored for Sweden in the first minute of the second half, and it proved the goal that would separate the teams at full-time. The result stung the nation as supporters rallied behind the Matildas looking to ensure a medal finish for the first time in Olympic history – but attention will soon turn to the prospect of winning bronze against United States on Thursday night.
Read on as we assess how every W-League star of 2020/21 fared in Australia’s Semi Final loss to Sweden.
Teagan Micah
At the age of 23, Teagan Micah’s career is on an upward trajectory which will only benefit from the priceless experiences granted to her by Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson with the stakes raised at Tokyo 2020.
Micah showed her eagerness to improve in her second Olympic meeting with Sweden on Monday night. After conceding three times against the Swedes in the group stage, Micah conceded a solitary Semi Final goal, scored by Rolfö with help from a hefty deflection and the crossbar in the build-up.
Micah made three saves from four shots on target to record a 75% save percentage – her second-highest of the tournament to date.
Tameka Yallop
The versatility of Tameka Yallop was put on show for all to see as she filled in at left wing-back for Gustavsson against Sweden.
Yallop has started every game of the Women’s Football Tournament for the Matildas thus far, playing predominantly alongside Emily van Egmond in the centre of the park. But for the second time at Tokyo 2020 the 2020/21 Brisbane Roar star was asked to play at wing-back getting up and down the left flank for 69 minutes, assisting Steph Catley who played on the left side of a three-pronged central defence.
Yallop took 54 touches, passed at 83.9% accuracy, and engaged in three tackles and nine duels. Yallop won 100% of her aerial duels and added six ball recoveries to her overall game before being substituted with 20 minutes to play.
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Clare Polkinghorne
Replacing Yallop in the 69th minute, Clare Polkinghorne slotted into the back three as Catley moved out to the wing-back position for the remaining 20 minutes.
The 2020/21 Roar captain took 20 touches, made two tackles, 16 passes and won 80% of her five duels as the Matildas kept Sweden to the solitary goal throughout her time on the park.
Kyra Cooney-Cross
Melbourne Victory’s Kyra Cooney-Cross put accuracy and control at the forefront of her game in 21 minutes against Sweden.
The teenage creator enjoyed a 100% passing accuracy from 11 passes and 15 touches. Her one shot of the game went sky-high, but a dangerous cross from the right flank missed Kerr’s head by a matter of centimetres as Australia pushed for an equaliser.
Emily Gielnik
Emily Gielnik remains goalless at Tokyo 2020 after playing six more minutes off the bench against Sweden.
It was Gielnik’s fifth appearance as a substitute at the games to date. The 2020/21 W-League Golden Boot winner took three touches throughout her brief cameo – but could her fresh legs prove pivotal in the bronze medal match?
