Fortaleza: Australia’s Olympics-bound women’s national team suffered a 3-1 friendly defeat at the hands of Brazil as they continue their preparations for this summer’s global extravaganza in Rio de Janeiro.
The Matildas surged ahead in the 35th minute thanks to Larissa Crummer’s strike, but then had 2014 AFC Women’s Player of the Year Katrina Gorry dismissed for a second bookable offence shortly after the break.
Gorry’s departure duly swung the game in Brazil’s favour as Debinha drew her side level from close range in the 54th minute.
Raquel then handed Brail the lead with an audacious lobbed shot, before Darlene put the result beyond doubt late with a mazy run and finish on.
"When the game was 11 v 11, it was certainly more in our favour than it was for them," Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic said.
"Playing 40 minutes with 10 players against them just made it a little bit tough but they are all things you have to learn to deal with.”
Australia will begin their Olympics campaign when they take on Canada in Sao Paolo on August 3, two days before the opening ceremony.
They will then face world number two Germany in Sao Paolo (August 6) and world number 93 Zimbabwe in Salvador (August 9).
Source: the-afc.com