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The Matildas have been wiped off the park by Germany in their return to international competition on Sunday morning.
Australia was annihilated 5-2 and it was only two late goals to Emily Gielnik that spared them some embarrassment.
In new coach Tony Gustavsson’s first game in charge — and the team’s first game since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic more than a year ago — the Matildas defence looked a shambles at times as Germany took a 4-0 lead with 25 minutes left to play.
Gustavsson described the ugly defeat as a “reality check” for his team, just months out from the 20201 Tokyo Olympics.
“They were a class better than us tonight,” he said.
“We could’ve gone to some easy place and got some easy result and had buy-in from players and fans and so forth, (but) this is what we need. We need this reality check. We need to see where we’re at right now. Is it tough? Yes, but we need that toughness to know exactly what we need to do in order to prepare for the Olympics.”
Kerr was just as frustrated in her post-match press conference.
“It was difficult. New players, new coach, a lot of people haven’t played at international level … it was difficult,” she said.
“I don’t think we were very good. We need to pick it up. Obviously they had some good players, but it’s tough. A year out, new coach, new style of play, it’s tough. We’ve just got to adapt quickly. We’re not making excuses for ourselves. We’ve got to be better and make the most of what we have. This next game is going to be very important for us.”
The Matildas face world No.4 Netherlands on Wednesday (AEST).
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