Westfield Matildas boss Alen Stajcic feels his side could have taken something from the game but was proud of their performance in the 3-1 World Cup defeat to USA on Tuesday (AEST).
The Matildas dominated their highly-fancied opponents but went behind to Megan Rapinoe’s goal before hitting back via Lisa De Vanna before the break.
But the world’s second-ranked side took their chances when it countered in the second half as Christen Press and a second goal for Rapinoe made the result safe.
MATCH REPORT: Matildas lose to USA but earn the plaudits
But Stajcic and his players have every reason to look ahead with confidence having outplayed the two-time world champions for much of the contest.“You could see the heart and spirit out there. They tried right until the end but a couple of bits of class from the Americans at the end just proved the difference,” Stajcic told SBS TV.
“When we had our four or five chances in the first half we didn’t take them and [USA ‘keeper] Hope Solo pulled off a couple of good saves to keep them in the game.
