Matildas vs China in Sydney: Last hit-out before Paris Olympics
It was a night full of emotion for the Matildas with a dominant victory over China in front of a record crowd. The win holds them in good stead for their Paris campaign, while the Australian public said goodbye to an icon.
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Substitutes Clare Wheeler and Cortnee Vine had crucial impacts off the bench as the Matildas farewelled Australia before heading to the Paris Olympics with a 2-0 win over China on Monday night,
In front of more than 76,000 fans at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, the Matildas produced a better attacking display than they showed in last Friday’s 1-1 draw against the same opponent at Adelaide Oval.
However, they still had to wait until after half-time to break China’s resistance, with Wheeler and Vine key factors in the win after entering the contest at the start of the second-half.
Midfielder Wheeler, who came on for Emily van Egmond, heading the hosts into the lead in the 48th minute after timing her run to perfection to be first to a well-placed free-kick from Steph Catley.
Sydney FC star Vine, who replaced striker Michelle Heyman, provided the assist for Australia’s second goal in the 56th minute.
Her inch-perfect through ball found Hayley Raso, who rounded goalkeeper Xu Huan before guiding the ball home.
China had a couple of opportunities to fight their way back into the contest, but they were comfortably dealt with by Matildas keeper Mackenzie Arnold, who came on late in the first half for Lydia Williams.
The Matildas should have gone ahead as early as the 11th minute with a chance created by right-back Ellie Carpenter, who mesmerised China’s defence with a superb turn before storming into the penalty area and delivering a low cross that Wu Haiyan failed to properly clear.
The ball fell invitingly for the unmarked Tameka Yallop, but the Brisbane Roar star rushed her shot and failed to test goalkeeper Xu.
However, Xu was called into action five minutes later, standing tall to deny Matildas winger Hayley Raso, who should have done better with her chance.
But Raso made amends after half-time with the match-sealing goal as the Australians did more than enough to take winning form to Paris.
“We wanted to turn up, we wanted to win the game, we wanted to put on a show, so we came out and did a little better than we did in the last game,” Raso told Network 10.
The Matildas’ Olympics squad will be announced on Tuesday but the players were informed before Tuesday night’s match if they had been chosen.
FAREWELL LYDIA
In her 104th and most likely final appearance for the Matildas, veteran goalkeeper Lydia Williams started the match and wore the captain’s armband.
Emotional before the game when honoured in a ceremony that involved Australian sporting great Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Williams remained composed during her time on the pitch despite the crowd roaring every time she touched the ball.
She was then given a hero’s farewell when replaced by Australia’s first-choice goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold in the 43rd minute.
After handing over the skipper’s armband to Steph Catley, Williams was embraced by all of her teammates as she left the field.
The hugs continued when she reached the sidelined, where she shared a special moment with Arnold, after which she was cuddled by coach Tony Gustavsson and the Matildas’ entire bench.
Williams has announced she will retire from international football after the upcoming Olympic Games. “To come this far has been incredible,” Williams said.
We will know on Tuesday whether she is selected in Australia’s 18-player squad for Paris, or is among the four travelling reserves.
AS IT HAPPENED
-Harper Sercombe
Follow along our live blog of the Matildas match against China.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
It might be hard to split the Matildas in the dominant performance, but who was your best afield?
90+4’: WIN FOR TILLIES
There it is the referee has blown her whistle to put an end to the match.
Tony Gustavsson will be happy with what he has seen from his side, heading to Paris with a convincing 2-0 defeat of China.
87’: MORE SUBS
Ellie Carpenter and Alanna Kennedy make way for Clare Polkinghorne and Charlotte Grant for the final minutes.
85’ RASO GOES DOWN
Hayley Raso got tangled up in the penalty area and looked to be hurt but is running it off and looks ok to keep going.
83’: SLOW BUILD UP
The Matildas are happy to put their foot on the ball and pass it around to find a pure scoring opportunity as they continue to dominate the possession.
76’: RECORD CROWD
A massive crowd has piled in to Stadium Australia with 76,798 coming to see the Matildas last match before Paris.
The previously biggest crowd for a Matildas game was 75,784 for the world cup semi-final against England also at Stadium Australia.
73’: MATILDAS DOMINATING
It’s been a strong performance from the Matildas to this point, with 60 per cent possession, 12 shots to China’s 5 and winning the territory battle at 68 per cent.
64’: SUBS
Tameka Yallop has been subbed off with Kaitlyn Torpey coming on as her replacement.
63’: CHINA TRY TO PUNCH BACK
It took a good stop from Mackenzie Arnold to keep a strong shot out. The Chinese attack was well against the run of play, with the Matildas displaying a relentless attack.
55’: YOU JUST KNEW SHE’D DO IT
The @cortneev9 âž¡ï¸ @HayleyRaso connection 🎀
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 3, 2024
🎥 @10FootballAU#AUSvCHN#Matildas#TilItsDonepic.twitter.com/w341GQK7uH
Hayley Raso has brushed off her missed opportunities from the first 20 minutes to put one into the back of the net.
Courtney Vine played the perfect through ball to the speedster who easily put one past the goal keeper to claim her 18th goal for the Matildas.
The concerns over her hip seem to be irrelevant after bursting away from two Chinese defenders to put herself in perfect goal scoring shape.
Matildas move quickly to a two-goal lead.
47’: WHEELER GOALLLLSSSSS
The Matildas have broken through with fresh substitute Wheeler headering in a free kick cross from Steph Catley.
The cross was perfect from Matildas leader, with Wheeler reading the ball flight to a tee an dputting it in the bottom left corner, despite her being one of the shortest Australians on the pitch.
With the Matildas Paris squad being named tomorrow you feel that could be huge for Wheeler who was in some doubt.
45’: TIME FOR THE SECOND HALF
HALF TIME NEWS
Looking like Courtney Vine and Clare Wheeler are coming on to start the second half.
The pair replaced Heyman and Van Egmond.
This is Wheeler’s last chance to make a case for her ticket to Paris.
HALF TIME READING
Mary Fowler is rarely taken aback on the football field but the sight of her immortalised as a Barbie doll left her speechless.
Fowler joined tennis icon Venus Williams, Canada’s champion footballer Christine Sinclair (Canada), Italy’s swim gold medallist Federica Pellegrini and six other sports women from around the world who Barbie have honoured with dolls which are part of Barbie’s 65th anniversary celebrations.
If you’re hungry for more Tillies content, Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock’s written a great feature story with Matildas star Mary Fowler ahead of the Paris Games here.
It’s remarkable how quickly the Matildas have been adopted as Australia’s most popular sporting team – selling 75,000 tickets to a friendly on a Monday night would have been unthinkable to women’s football enthusiasts five years ago.
45+2’: HALF TIME
That will do it for the first half at Stadium Australia. While the Matildas are well on top credit must go to the Chinese defence for holding up against a relentless Australian attack.
This moment 💚💛
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 3, 2024
Thank you @lydsaussie 👑
🎥 @10footballau#AUSvCHN#TilItsDone#Matildaspic.twitter.com/11lMKi7m1H
42’: THANK YOU LYDS- PART 3
Williams is getting a standing ovation as she makes way for Mackeznie Arnold, marking the end of a 19-year Matilda’s career on Australian soil.
🔠@lydsaussie is replaced by @MaccaArnold1. #AUSvCHNpic.twitter.com/sVL0yOz3Od
— Live Football Scores (@_FootieScores) June 3, 2024
Williams is getting hugs from everyone on the Matildas bench.
Everyone in the stadium was on their feet for Williams as she walked off, having cheered every moment she touched the ball in her final game on home soil.
What an ovation for Lydia Williams as she leaves the ground shortly before 1/3 time pic.twitter.com/SWnMqapEMa
— HER WAY (@abbieherway) June 3, 2024
39’: HEYMAN’S INSANE RUN
Michelle Heyman almost pulled off a super goal, turning the ball over just inside the Matildas’ half, with three Chinese defenders hanging off her while going on a huge run, But the 35-year-old missed just to the right of the netting.
Message received it seems.
— Georgia Rose (@Georgiarybanks) June 3, 2024
Huuuuuge run from Heyman. #AUSvCHNpic.twitter.com/L7D8w7N0N6
34’: RASO HIP CONCERN?
Hayley Raso seems to be dealing with a hip complaint with the Matildas star looking to stretch and activate the muscle, hopefully it’s no more than just a niggle.
32’: CARPENTER RUN
Ellie Carpenter again took off on the right side, showing off her trademark dash, however her ball into the box just missed the right boot of Michelle Heyman.
The move was a super promising one prompting this comment on the Channel 10 broadcast, “it’s just a matter of time before something really opens up.”
29’: SIMMERED DOWN
After a frantic first 20 minutes, the game has calmed down a little bit, however the Matildas have kept their dominance in ball possession.
25’: VAN EGMOND BOOKED
Emily van Egmond has copped the first booking of the night, being cited with a yellow card for dragging her opponent down.
20’: RASO AGAIN
Three missed opportunities from Hayley Raso in the first 20 minutes could come back to hurt the Matildas. But the Aussies are looking dangerous early, and seems like one will find the back of the net sooner rather than later.
15’: RASO JUST MISSES
Hayley Raso just missed her 18th goal as a Matilda with a good one-on-one save from the China’s keeper.
14’: DANGEROUS CORNERS
The Matildas are looking on tonight, with back to back corners just kept out by the Chinese defence.
10’: OPEN GOAL MISSED
The Matildas have missed a huge chance as Ellie Carpenter completed a sensational run down the right wing before sending the ball into a dangerous position in the box.
Michelle Heyman got a misdirected boot to it which fell to Tameka Yallop who skied it over the cross bar.
5’: RASO SHOOTS
A fast return serve from the Aussies with Hayley Raso looking dangerous at the top of the box, but her shot was blocked.
4’: CHINA WITH AN EARLY LOOK
A quick break got China into a dangerous position but was well cut off by the Matildas defence.
7:45: KICK OFF
It’s go time!
Who will be the first to strike in the hugely anticipated clash?
7:36: THANK YOU LYDS- PART 2
Veteran keeper Lydia Williams was given a special welcome to the field for her final game in the green and gold in front of a home crowd.
She has had more than 100 caps for the Matildas in her 19 year career.
Williams entered the pitch after the team to a standing ovation from the crowd and a guard of honour.
The star keeper was left in tears as she thanked the crowd for their support.
A special video montage was played on the big screens at Accor Stadium with messages from each of the Matildas squad and an impressive highlights reel.
These are awesome scenes for Lydia Williams 💛💚#AUSCHN
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) June 3, 2024
7:15: THANK YOU LYDS
Stand in captain Lydia Williams is already being celebrated in a big way ahead of her final game on home soil.
With players warming up in ‘Thank You Lyds’ shirts and a big banner paying tribute to the Matildas legend.
Thank you, Lyds! 💜#Matildas#TilitsDone#ThanksLyds@lydsaussiepic.twitter.com/x7QqDpga9O
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 3, 2024
7:05: NOT LONG TO GO
Just 35 minutes left until kick off.
So, it’s time for an early prediction, can the Matildas head off to Paris with a strong win under their belts?
6:50: CROWD BUILDING
The crowd is starting to flock into Accor Stadium for the 7:40 (AEST) kick off, with a sell out expected at the 80,000 seat arena.
6:30: TEAMS
The Matildas will be without star forward Caitlin Foord for the clash as she was ruled out earlier this week with a hamstring injury sustained in last week’s match with China.
Matildas veteran goalkeeper Lydia Williams will start for the Matildas in what will be her final home game in the green and gold after announcing her international retirement last month.
Williams will officially step away from the Matildas after the Paris Olympics.
As promised coach Tony Gustavsson is starting a full strength squad.
STARTING XI 🗒
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 3, 2024
Here's how we line up for our game against China PR at Accor Stadium.👊
🫡@lydsaussie leads us out tonight in her final game on home soil
â°: 7:40pm AEST
📺💻📱: @10FootballAU#Matildas#TilitsDonepic.twitter.com/RhFMqK3NKQ
Matildas captain stresses ‘precious’ value of final pre-Paris hit out
-Erin Smith
Matildas captain Steph Catley is counting down the hours until she can run out in front of more than 75,000 fans at Accor Stadium for their final pre-Olympics hit out.
Catley said she has plenty of fond memories representing the Matildas in Sydney - mostly due to the vocal crowds.
“The stadium holds some incredible memories for us from the World Cup, some of my favourite memories and some massive games,” Catley said.
“This will be the fourth time we have sold out Accor in less than a year, that statistic in itself is pretty special.
“We have sold out stadiums all around Australia pretty frequently in recent times, it is very special.
“We love playing in Sydney, we love playing at Accor, the fans always come out in numbers and are very loud and passionate.”
Catley has had a hectic lead up to this camp.
She finished her domestic season with Arsenal two weeks ago - then jetted over to Australia to take on the All-Stars Women’s team in Melbourne last week.
Then flew to Adelaide for the Matildas camp.
The captain, along with four other regular starters, spent 60 minutes on the bench at the first leg of the series.
Partly so Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson could test those fighting for plane tickets and partly due to load management.
Gustavsson hinted at the pre-match press conference that wouldn’t be the case on Monday night.
“This game is a bit different, it is later on in camp and we have managed to save some legs and hopefully some of those that had limited minutes will be more available now,” Gustavsson said.
“It is the last game before we travel to France and we really want to finish off with a good performance and hopefully a win here.”
Catley echoed Gustavsson, saying the match was “massive”.
“We haven’t got many opportunities to be together as a complete squad from here until our first game. All these opportunities are precious and we will definitely be using it to build for Paris,” the defender said.
“We don’t want to be peaking just yet. There are still some growing pains and room for improvement similar to how we were before the World Cup.
“We want to time our peak performance and scratch out some of the kinks and be really peaking when we get to Paris.
“This is a great opportunity to do some of those things and trial some things and get out and enjoy our home crowd one more time before we head over for the Olympics.
“It will be lovely to play in front of our home fans again as a little bit of a send off before the Olympics.”
Kerr’s surprise Matildas appearance ahead of final hitout
Sam Kerr’s Olympic dreams may have ended prematurely, but the Matildas star will still be along for the ride if pictures ahead of Monday night’s final hitout against China are anything to go by.
Kerr was spotted on a video call with Mary Fowler outside the team’s hotel on Monday as the Matildas players ventured out for a walk.
The star striker was officially ruled out of Australia’s Olympic campaign last month after suffering an ACL injury in January.
With Kerr out injured, it is expected Fowler will have to step up in a big way if the Matildas are to secure a medal in Paris.
The 18-player squad for the Olympics will be announced on Tuesday morning, following their final pre-tournament friendly against China.
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