Mighty Warriors score again in loss to Australia

The Mighty Warriors were once again on target as they received a master class in in football a by a classy Australian side which put six past them in the final match of their Olympics at the Arena Fonte Nova in Brazil.

It was the worst start possible for Zimbabwe as they conceded within two minutes to Lisa De Vanna. Playing a more open expansive game than the last two, the Mighty Warriros were open to attacks from the Aussies and conceded regularly. They were particularly vulnerable from setpieces, conceding three of their goals from corners.

The goals came. Clare Polkinghorne, Alanna Kennedy, Kyah Simon and Michelle Heyman twice showed the gulf in class between the two sides.

In between it all, first choice goalkeeper was substituted injured. Her replacement Lindiwe Magwede on a couple of occasions made some important saves and interventions to prevent it from becoming a runaway rugby score as the number five side in the world turned on its style.

There were flashes of brilliance. One in particular saw substitute Rutendo Makore turn past a few static Aussie defenders and have her shot saved by Mackenzie Arnold in goal.

And then there was that beauty from Emmaculate Msipa. Zimbabwe broke down a move deep in their own half. A few body swerves later, Msipa got the ball, chested it and gave it to the impressive Marjorie Nyaumwe. Nyaumwe returned the ball with a through-pass into the stride of Msipa with the defender no match for our girl. Then the moment came. One touch. The shot, in off the post. The crowd went wild as she and her teammates dabbed in the corner. It is in a heavy loss but how many people in the world have an Olympic goal in the debut tournament country, for the first time on such a stage?

That goal showed that when our girls play their game, they are good at it. A little more experience and they can get closer to the top sides.

In spite of the scorelines, their opponents will have known they will have been in a match in all the contests. It was always going to be a stretch but it was never embarrassing given the context.