Matildas coach claims referees intimidated in Brazil clash

Australia, known as the Matildas, faced Brazil in an international friendly match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on a Thursday night. During this match, Australia experienced a significant loss, with a final score of 3-1 against the Brazilian team. Brazil's aggressive style of play was highlighted by their commitment of 17 fouls and a player being sent off during the game. Following the match, interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni emphasized the need for his team to adapt their play style, suggesting that they must 'fight fire with fire' against the physical approach exhibited by Brazil. He noted that Brazil's physical game differed from what is typically expected from the team and stated that it was crucial for the Matildas to match their intensity in order to contend effectively. Sermanni expressed concern that the referees may have been intimidated by Brazil's style of play, which he believed influenced the match's flow and outcome. He suggested that had the referees taken control of the game earlier, the results could have been very different. In preparation for their subsequent friendly match on the Gold Coast, Sermanni indicated that the team had worked on improving their responses to Brazil's forward runs and passing strategies. Despite some players experiencing minor injuries and 'bruised bodies' post-training on Saturday morning, he reported no significant concerns and hinted at the possibility of giving a squad member a debut during the upcoming match. This upcoming friendly presents an opportunity for the Matildas to not only improve their game but also to address the challenges they faced in their previous encounter with Brazil.