A series of defensive errors which have plagued the Matildas throughout the competition ended any hope of Australia progressing any further than the quarter-finals

Ellyse Perry gave Australia hope of a comeback when her stunning long-range effort rattled into the top corner just before half-time after going down to two early Swedish goals.

But a third goal after a flawed backpass soon after the break sealed the win for Sweden and put the result beyond doubt.

Now Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has reflected on what might have been- but is already turning his attention towards qualifying for the Olympics in London next year.

"At half-time at 2-1 we felt really comfortable and well in the game," he said  "I think we were until we made another mistake and you can't make mistakes at this level.

"When you consider the goals we've given up in this tournament I think we've done extremely well to get where we've got to.

"You can't be a winning team and defend well for 90 per cent of the time and give opposition easy goals.

“In saying that I am extremely proud of what this group of players have achieved and what steps we have made in this tournament to really improve our standing in world football."

He added: “Now we’ve got to refocus and get our minds onto the job of qualifying for the London Olympics which begins in China in September.”

The Westfield Matildas head to Jinan in China for a six team round robin qualifying tournament from 1-11 September where the top two teams after each nation’s five matches will progress to the 2012 London Olympics.