The CommBank Young Matildas have been defeated 2-0 by Cameroon in their final group stage game of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2024™.
The result means that they will not progress to the quarter-finals.
Head Coach Leah Blayney made four changes to the side that took on Mexico. Ella O’Grady came on for her first minutes of the tournament in place of Tanaye Morris in the centre-forward role. Alicia Woods, Zara Kruger and Peta Trimis also came in, while Avaani Prakash – and Jynaya and Indiana Dos Santos – started the match from the bench.
The game began at a high tempo. Australia had a good opportunity in the seventh minute that was thwarted by the offside flag, only for Cameroon to immediately go up the other end and be denied the opening goal by an offside themselves.
Leah Blayney activated a decision review in the 16th minute after a foul on Shay Hollman. The referee decided not to award a red card after the video review.
The best opportunity for the CommBank Young Matildas in the first half came after some wonderful link-up between Alicia Woods, Ella O’Grady and Kahli Johnson. Johnson’s effort on goal was saved by Cameroon’s goalkeeper.
Cameroon opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time. After a corner, Achta Toko Njoya struck cleanly into the top corner of the net. It meant that they went into the half-time break one goal to the good.
Australia started the second half in a lively fashion. Peta Trimis had a great opportunity in the 51st minute after being played into some space but shot wide from a tight angle.
Cameroon doubled their lead in the 62nd minute. It was a fantastic strike by their number 10, Naomi Eto, from outside the penalty area.
The aftermath of that goal saw the introduction of Amber Luchtmeijer in place of Kahli Johnson. 10 minutes later, in the 76th minute, Tanaye Morris and Lara Gooch came onto the pitch in place off Ella O’Grady and Zara Kruger.
Shay Hollman was forced off with an injury in the 87th minute. Avaani Prakash came on in her place.
Despite pushing hard, Australia were unable to get the breakthrough, and Cameroon walked away victorious.
