KANSAS CITY, Kan. (July 26, 2018) – Australia put in a solid all-around performance to defeat Brazil, 3-1, in the opening match of the 2018 Tournament of Nations.

Both of Australia’s first half goals came off corner kicks, in the 9th and 38th minutes, and both came courtesy of some assistance from Brazilian defender Poliana, who scored the first with her head for an own goal and then failed to clear the second.

Brazil created a bit of danger throughout the game, mostly through Debinha and Marta, who forced the Australians into two yellow cards for fouls on the five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year. It was Marta and Debinha that combined for Brazil’s lone goal in the 79th minute.

Kerr effectively put the game away early in the second half with a brilliant finish of a counter-attack down the right side to make it 3-0. It was her 25th international goal in 68 caps for the 2018 FIFA Women’s World Player of the year nominee.

Despite having more of the possession, the Matildas were out-shot by Brazil by a 12-6 margin, while Brazil had four shots on goal to Australia’s two.

Australia is currently ranked 8th in the world and Brazil seventh.

Up Next: After tonight’s doubleheader in Kansas City, the tournament moves to East Hartford, Conn., for a pair of matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Japan will face Brazil on Sunday, July 29 (4:15 p.m. ET) followed by the USA taking on Australia (7 p.m. ET on FS1)

Goal Scoring Rundown:

AUS – Own Goal (Poliana), 9th minute: After some early pressure from Australia earned a couple of corner kicks, Elise Kellond-Knight sent in service from the right corner. Stationed inside the six-yard box, Poliana tried to clear it with her head but instead flicked the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Barbara and into her own net.

AUS – Tameka Butt, 38th minute: Poliana was once again involved in the Australia goal, which came off another corner kick, this one from the left side. The ball was sent inside the six-yard box and it bounced off the thigh of Poliana and directly to Tameka Butt, who headed it into the open net from four yards out as Barbara had vacated the goal while attempting to claim the cross.

AUS – Sam Kerr (Tameka Butt), 50th minute: After a good start to the second half for Brazil, Australia effectively ended the game on a counter attack that got Kerr free into the right side of the penalty box on a perfectly-weighted ball behind the Brazil defense from Butt. With a defender closing, Kerr showed her world class finished ability, blasting a shot over Barbara from just outside the right corner of the goal box and into the roof of the net.

BRA – Debhina (Marta), 79th minute: Brazil pulled a goal back courtesy of some Marta magic as she danced past a defender on the left side and crossed hard on the ground through the goal mouth. Debinha made a slashing near post run and re-directed the ball into the net from close range.

Key Stops:

AUS – Lydia Williams, 30th minute: Brazil had its first chance a half hour in and it was a good one as Andressinha burst free inside the penalty box and had a clear shot on goal from 17 yards out, but Williams came up big, diving to her right to snag the shot.

AUS – Lydia Williams, 85th minute: Marta created another great chance with five minutes to play, leaving Orlando Pride teammate Alana Kennedy in her wake in the right side of the penalty box before crossing on the ground to Beatriz, but her close range shot was kicked away by Williams to prevent the final few minutes from becoming pressure-packed for the Matildas.

- Tournament of Nations Match Report -

Match: Brazil vs. Australia

Date: July 26, 2018

Competition: Tournament of Nations

Venue: Children’s Mercy Park; Kansas City, Kan.

Kickoff: 3:15 p.m. CT

Attendance: 10,307

Weather: 75 degrees, mostly cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

BRA 0 1 1

AUS 2 1 3

AUS – Poliana (Own Goal) 9th minute

AUS – Tameka Butt 38

AUS – Sam Kerr (Tameka Butt) 50

BRA – Debinha (Marta) 79

Lineups:

BRA: 1-Bárbara; 3-Daiane (4-Kathellen, 82), 5-Thaisa, 6-Tamires (19-Joyce, 75), 9-Debinha, 10-Marta (capt.), 14-Poliana, 16-Beatriz, 17-Andressinha (7-Camila, 62), 18-Thaís (11-Adriana, 54), 21-Mônica

Subs not used: 12-Aline, 22-Letícia, 2-Millene, 8-Juliana, 13-Rilany, 15-Tayla, 20-Raquel

Head coach: Oswaldo Alvarez (Vadão)

AUS: 1-Lydia Williams (capt.); 4-Clare Polkinghorne, 6-Chloe Logarzo (9-Caitlin Foord, 86), 8-Elise Kellond-Knight, 10-Emily Van Egmond, 13-Tameka Butt (23-Alex Chidiac, 75), 14-Alanna Kennedy, 16-Hayley Raso (11-Lisa De Vanna, 69), 17-Kyah Simon (19-Katrina Gorry, 58), 20-Sam Kerr (5-Mary Fowler, 90+3), 21-Ellie Carpenter

Subs not used: 18-Mackenzie Arnold, 2-Amy Sayer, 7-Laura Alleway, 15-Emily Gielnik, 22-Larissa Crummer,

Head coach: Alen Stajcic

Stats Summary: BRA / AUS

Shots: 12 / 6

Shots on Goal: 4 / 2

Saves: 0 / 3

Corner Kicks: 2 / 5

Fouls: 14 / 14

Offside: 2 / 1

Misconduct Summary:

AUS – Kyah Simon (caution) 27th minute

AUS – Emily Van Egmond (caution) 34

AUS – Elise Kellond-Knight (caution) 54

BRA – Thaisa (caution) 86

BRA – Joyce 90+2

Officials:

Referee: Christina Unkel (USA)

Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner (USA)

Assistant Referee 2: Alicia Messer (USA)

4th Official: Karen Abt (USA)



2018 Tournament of Nations Standings