Well, friends, this is not how we wanted the Matildas’ amazing year to end, but it serves as a reminder of how much work still needs to be done before the Olympics start next July.
Australia’s strongest lineup was unable to come back after Canada’s goal in the 40th minute, as the Matildas struggled to create dangerous chances in the second half as the team began to tire.
There will no doubt be a lot of discussion about where the Matildas go next, how they prepare for their next two matches against Uzbekistan in February, Gustafsson’s choice of players, his rotation between the two matches, and the tactics they tried to use.
But this game wasn’t just about winning or losing. It was also about celebrating two things: the careers of Canada captain Christine Sinclair and fellow veteran Sophie Schmidt, as well as wrapping up what has been a miraculous 2023 for women’s soccer.
Record crowds, record viewership, and record engagement across multiple platforms and media. It’s been an amazing moment for the sport, and I personally can’t wait to see what 2024 holds.
That’s all from me. We’ll have a more serious recap of the game soon, but for now, this is my final live blog of the year.
It has been an absolute pleasure bringing Tillies to your screens over the past 12 months. Thank you for being here with me and with them every step of the journey.
Until next time.
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