‘We don’t want this feeling again’: Shattered Matildas put on a brave face

March 22, 2026 — 3:13pm

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Three years ago, the day after losing the third-place play-off at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Matildas fronted up to a public reception in Brisbane where they were serenaded by Nikki Webster and lauded for their efforts by thousands of fans who helped them look on the bright side.

On Sunday, it was deja vu all over again. And not in a good way.

There was a party thrown in their honour at Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct, but in truth, they turned up only because they had to. Optimism was scarce. The crowd was smaller - mostly because it was a steaming hot day in Sydney - and the vibes were undeniably lower, with all in attendance still digesting the heartbreak of their 1-0 defeat to Japan in the Asian Cup final.

Devastation was still........

© Brisbane Times