Matildas downed by Den Haag

The Westfield Matildas have gone down to Dutch club side Den Haag 1-0 overnight in the second friendly of their European tour in the Dutch city of Delft.

The Westfield Matildas have gone down to Dutch club side Den Haag 1-0 overnight in the second friendly of their European tour in the Dutch city of Delft.

In an uncharacteristic display from the Australian side, the Westfield Matildas were unable to convert a multitude of opportunities throughout the match having conceded in the opening minutes.

“The game is for 90 minutes,” said coach Hesterine de Reus.

“Against the Netherlands we played very well in the first half and dropped off in the second. But today was the other way around, the opening half was poor and we became stronger in the second half.

“The game is for 90 minutes and we must be present for the whole 90, that is something we must learn.

“For me overall I am disappointed in losing to a club team. I think it should be impossible, we can-t let that happen.”

With three minutes on the clock defender Stephanie Catley was stranded on her own at the back following a Westfield Matildas corner kick. A quick counter-attack ensued with Den Haag-s striker Renate Jansen converting the chance to take the early lead.

The goal spurred the Australian side into action as Kyah Simon and Elise Kellond-Knight started to combine well but their efforts were continuously repelled by the exceptional Dutch goal keeper Barbara Lorsheyd.

Caitlin Foord and Simon created the best chance for the Australian side as halftime approached. Foord skillfully dribbled past her opponent to find Simon who unleashed a strike from just outside the 18 yard box only to find the out-stretched arm of Lorsheyd who palmed the ball away for a corner.

Australia continued to threaten with their set pieces as Kellond-Knight delivered a beautiful curling ball but Simon could only crash her powerful header into the crossbar to leave the score at 1-0 at the half.

Multiple substitutes were made during the break with defender Clare Polkinghorne, midfielder Teresa Polias and striker Michelle Heyman all entering the fray to try and turn the Matildas fortunes.

The Australians began to gain composure in the midfield with Polias and eventually Emily Van Egmond helping to settle the Australians in the midfield, but the breakthrough goal did not come.

In the dying minutes of the match Foord whipped a ball into the box, meeting Clare Polkinghorne-s head only to hit the side of the net as the Matildas failed to get the equaling goal.

The result was certainly not what the Matildas and head coach de Reus were looking for as the squad-s European tour reached its midpoint.

With friendly-s being an opportunity for teams to learn and grow together, de Reus did take some positives out of the loss.

“In my opinion in the first half we didn-t take notice of the team shape. It was all a bit individual, as soon as this happens then it is very hard to create a result,” continued de Reus.

“It was good for me to see how the girls reacted to shaking up the starting team and have players play out of position. It did make a difference today with our performance.

“It was a positive for me to see Teresa Polias take control of the midfield in the way that she did in the second half, along with Teigen Allen-s performance playing in an unfamiliar position sitting in behind the strikers.”

The Westfield Matildas will now leave Holland for France tomorrow in order to face the French national team on Saturday before returning to Australia.

“I think the girls are so shocked that a couple of days off before facing France on Saturday will be a good thing.”

Westfield Matildas European Tour match - Non-A International Friendly

Westfield Matildas 0 ADO Den Haag 1 (Renate Jansen 3-)

2 July 2013 Venue DHC, Sportspark Brasserskade, Delft, Nederland Local kick off 6:30pm

Westfield Matildas: 18. Lydia Williams (gk), 3. Kim Carroll (4. Clare Polkinghorne 45-) 8. Elise Kellond-Knight, 9. Caitlin Foord, 13. Tameka Butt (2. Teigen Allen 75-) 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Amy Chapman (10. Emily Van Egmond 55-) 16. Stephanie Catley, 17. Kyah Simon, 19. Katrina Gorry, (7. Teresa Polias 45-) 12. Vedrana Popovic (23. Michelle Heyman 45-)

Substitutes not used: 1. Brianna Davey (gk), 6. Servet Uzunlar, 11. Lisa De Vanna,

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

ADO Den Haag: 1. Barbara Lorsheyd (gk) 2. Marleen Joore, 3. Kim Dolstra, 5. Mandy van Dijk 6. Lucienne Reichardt, 21. Tula de Wit, 9. Renate Jansen, 12. Yvette van der Windt, 20. Lineth Beerensteyn 22. Kiity Susan, 7. Tessa Oudejans

Substitutes not used: 4. Paola van der Veere, 15. Myrusha Victoria, 17. Marelle Worm, 18. Jennifer Vreugdenhil, 17. Vesna Veltrop, 8. Bulk van den Bulk , 23. Nada van Es 11. Jessie van Leeuwan, 16. IIse van der Windt 80-)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None