Freier Shines Despite Matildas’ Defeat to Brazil

In a bittersweet evening for Australian soccer, interim Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni commended Brisbane Roar’s rising A-League star Sharn Freier after the CommBank Matildas succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Brazil. The match, held in Brisbane, marked a significant milestone as Clare Polkinghorne celebrated her storied career ahead of her impending retirement.

A Night of Mixed Emotions

Thursday night’s game was a tribute to Clare Polkinghorne, the most-capped player in Matildas history. Polkinghorne, who captained the team for the occasion, played until the 60th minute, leaving the field to a rapturous ovation. The match itself, however, was a tough battle for the Matildas. Brazil’s physical dominance saw them take a commanding 2-0 lead before Caitlin Foord scored to narrow the gap. Yet, the 2024 Olympic silver medallists restored their two-goal cushion just nine minutes into the second half.

Freier’s Promising Display

Brisbane Roar captain Tameka Yallop and teammate Sharn Freier entered the fray in the second half. Freier, making her fifth international appearance, impressed Sermanni with her pace and dribbling skills.

“Sharn is a great example,” Sermanni said post-match. “She came on tonight and showed real promise with her pace and ability to dribble. Now, we didn’t know that. I certainly didn’t know it because I’ve only seen her in the A-League.”

Sermanni highlighted the importance of nurturing depth within the squad, especially as the team looks ahead to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026.

“What we need to do in our program is build up a real depth all the way through so we’re able to bring in players without it being a big transition. That’s the key,” he added.

Challenges Ahead for the Matildas

Sermanni acknowledged the delicate balance required to integrate new talent into the team while maintaining consistency.

“It’s a catch-22. You don’t have an awful lot of time to do that. You can’t suddenly throw six new players into the team,” Sermanni explained.

The Matildas will have an opportunity to regroup with two friendlies against Chinese Taipei scheduled for December 4 and 7, providing valuable game time for emerging players like Freier and others such as Bianca Galic.