Australia won tonight the first edition of the Nations Tournament after their victory against Brazil on the score of six goals to one (6-1). A final win that concludes a week in which the Matildas also won against Japan and for the first time in their history against the United States.


=> Tournament of Nations: After the She Believes Cup, the United States schedules a new tournament at the top


Organized on the west coast of the United States, the Tournament of Nations brought together four of the top eight teams in the FIFA rankings, with around the host country, Brazil, Japan and Australia. A high-profile cast for a useful tournament before embarking on the race for the World Cup and the Olympic Games that will be linked in 2019 and 2020.


Australia wants to climb the ladder


As in the She Believes Cup won by France, the hierarchy was not "respected" for this Tournament of Nations since it is Australia that prevailed, after including a historic victory against the United States . The Matildas have indeed had to wait for their twenty-eighth meeting against world numbers to sign their first victory.


A match that particularly highlighted the current difficulties of Jill Ellis team to be effective in the opposing area. The coach who tried different associations in attack during the tournament, unable to find the right formula in the offensive animation. Doubts despite the seven goals scored against Brazil (4-3 win) and Japan (3-0 success), two teams against which Australia scored a dozen goals.


Australia was able to rely on a Samantha Kerr in great shape. The striker of Sky Blue FC is currently in success with her club in NWSL, championship of which she is currently one of the best scorers. In this tournament, she scored four of Australia's eleven goals, and issued three assists.


She has consistently weighed on defenses and is often involved every time Australia approaches the goal. Good points she can share with Katrina Gorry also one of the best Matildas on this tournament with valuable activity in the midfield and behind the Australian strikers. Lisa de Vanna has set herself a record since she became the most prolific player in the Australian jersey (42 goals) after her double against Brazil.

Brazil and Japan far off, the US is looking for their game


Alan Stajcic's players have emerged as the most consistent team against three other teams looking for two years of the World Cup. In the 6-1 defeat to Australia, Brazil came without Marta and Barbara, with a team where only Tamires and Andressinha could be seen as executives. This is one of the heaviest defeats in Brazil's history, which will also find Australia in September for two friendlies.


Many absent in Brazil for this tournament, and uncertainties shared by Japan and the United States. Asako Takakura continues to progressively integrate U20 youth with a positive tournament for Yuka Momiki who scored two goals and seems to represent the future of the Nadeshiko attack alongside Kumi Yokoyama. In defense, Japan had a complicated tournament especially in the absence of Saki Kumagai, not convened by the Japanese coach.


On the US side, the year 2017 has seen more defeats at home than in the last decade, a worrying sign but that the US staff can put into perspective when no major competition approaches for the world champions in title. A tournament that has served new trials, with some satisfactions, like Christen Press and the return to his best level for Megan Rapinoe in attack.


In midfield, Samantha Mewis seems now settled with a question on the profile that would be associated with him, with an interesting association with Julie Ertz (Johnston) against Japan. But beyond a few flashes, the American game is still limited when the defensive sector also looks like a big building site.


The United States finish second in this tournament and the world champions have again shown that they are not untouchable, facing teams they have historically dominated, such as Australia, France or England. However, it's hard not to see Jill Ellis' willingness to hide her game in view of upcoming deadlines. A strategy probably necessary after the failure of the Games, but which could fuel the finding that the United States no longer have the same margin compared to the rest of the world. An idea that must probably start to make its way ...



Tournament of Nations - Final Ranking:


1) Australia 9 pts (+8)

2) United States 6 pts (+3)

3) Japan 1 pt (-5)

4)Brazil 1 pt
(-6) Results: July 27 - Seattle
Brazil - Japan: 1-1
United States - Australia: 0-1
July 30 - San Diego
Australia - Japan: 4-2
United States - Brazil: 4-3
August 3 - CarsonAustralia - Brazil: 6-1
United States - Japan: 3-0