New Matildas stars emerge in tough, unconvincing triumph over Chinese Taipei
The Matildas are back in the winner’s circle after a 3-1 win against Chinese Taipei in Melbourne, but the night ended early for one beloved star. Relive the action here.
It wasn’t without its hairy moments, but three first-time goalscorers provided the green shoots the Matildas had been searching for as they claimed a 3-1 win over Chinese Taipei on Wednesday night.
Before the two friendlies against the weaker opponent this window, Australian interim coach Tom Sermanni said he wanted to give “as many opportunities as possible” with the majority of the side’s USA and Europe-based stars missing from action.
He did not include the retiring Clare Polkinghorne, but otherwise started the most experienced side at his disposal in Melbourne with veterans Michelle Heyman and Emily Gielnik in attack as part of a 3-5-2 formation.
The forward duo started brightly and both contributed to early goals for Tash Prior (second appearance) and Sharn Freier (eighth), but the Matildas lost connection after Chloe Logarzo was subbed out following a nasty head clash in the 28th minute.
Chinese Taipei hit on the counter and scored their first goal against Australia since 2007 when a horrible misjudgment by Charli Grant allowed Chen Jin-wen to pounce and drag Mackenzie Arnold off her line before finishing into an open goal.
The goal clearly meant a lot to the visitors, and earnt the scorer an affectionate shoulder-rub from captain Chen Ying-hui.
The Matildas’ struggle for connection continued into the second half and the match appeared destined to peter out disappointingly for the sell-out crowd before a double substitution in the 72nd minute drew a fresh wave of energy.
Forward Remy Siemsen and defender Bryleeh Henry were brought on for Gielnik and Heyman, and Henry, in her third game, was on the scoreboard almost immediately with a delightful header.
Grant at left-back put a long ball down the line into the path of veteran Tameka Yallop, who curled an excellent cross off her non-preferred left to find the 21-year-old.
Henry almost lost her balance but regained it just in time to deliver a powerful finish into the bottom-left corner in the highlight of the evening.
MOMENTS TO SAVOUR
Tash Prior and Sharn Freier’s maiden international goals came within two minutes of each other as the Matildas peppered the box early against a nervous opposition.
A quickly taken short corner allowed Chloe Logarzo to get within close range and curl a dangerous cross, which took a slight deflection off the head of Daniela Galic before Prior delivered a composed header near the back post.
Before Chinese Taipei could take a breath, Michelle Heyman played a nice ball in behind to release Emily Gielnik, whose powerful shot was saved but deflected straight into the path of Freier for an easy finish.
LOGARZO DISTRAUGHT
Chloe Logarzo was in tears after the anthems as the enormity of her comeback to international football washed over her in front of a sold-out crowd.
Sadly for the 29-year-old, her first Matildas appearance since October 2022 also finished in tears after she was subbed out following a nasty head clash with an opponent in the 28th minute.
Logarzo could be seen saying, “please, please, please” to the doctors as they decided whether she had to enter concussion protocols, but the call was made to take her out of the game in a decision which will also rule her out of Saturday’s clash in Geelong.
It was a bitter moment for the attacking midfielder, but she was an important conduit in the first half-hour and was missed after she was replaced by Alex Chidiac.
Logarzo did enough to keep herself in contention for February’s She Believes Cup in the USA – Kardinia Park will be the site of the Matildas’ last appearance until that tournament.
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