Matildas news: Australia defeats Thailand 2-0

In football, there’s one hat-trick you definitely don’t want. But Matildas’ starlet Hayley Raso didn’t let a trio of agonising misfires stop her from leading the Aussies past Thailand

Hayley Raso hit the post three times, but found the net to help power the Matildas past Thailand. Picture: AFP

Hayley Raso hit the post three times but was rewarded with a goal as the Matildas extended their winning run to four matches with a 2-0 victory over Thailand at Central Coast Stadium on Tuesday night.

It was a scoreline that well and truly flattered the visitors, who could have conceded at least triple the amount of goals the Australians did score such was the hosts’ dominance.

Raso’s frustrations typified the Matildas; night as she hit the woodwork in the 32nd, 56th and 59th minutes.

However, the Manchester City star did score two minutes after halftime to double Australia’s lead after captain Sam Kerr had opened the scoring in the 40th minute with her 61st international goal.

But the expected floodgates didn’t open, with the Matildas time and again wasting chances they should have put away.

Hayley Raso hit the post three times, but found the net to help power the Matildas past Thailand. Picture: AFP

However, they did keep another clean sheet after having also kept Sweden, the world’s second-ranked nation, scoreless in a 4-0 weekend win in Melbourne.

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Tuesday night’s victory also maintained the Matildas’ momentum ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, with Thailand becoming Australia’s fourth successive victim after the win over the Swedes, and October defeats of South Africa and Denmark.

“It’s nice to finish (the year) on a high,” Kerr told Network 10.

“Four wins in a row after a tough year, so we’re feeling good but ready for next year to come.”

While pleased to win, Kerr said her team needed to “get better” at putting teams away.

“It was a good challenge. That’s why we played two different teams in this camp.”

Raso agreed, saying she needed to be “more clinical”.

Sam Kerr scored in the Matildas’ 2-0 win. Picture: Getty Images

In good news for the Australians, experienced midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight made her first Matildas appearance in more than two and a half years after a long battle with injuries.

The win was also a fitting reward for long-time defender Clare Polkinghorne, who equalled Cheryl Salisbury’s record for the most number of Matildas appearances with 151.

The Matildas completely dominated the first half but only had one goal at halftime to show for their superiority.

It came from likely source Kerr, who headed home a Katrina Gorry corner in the 40th minute.

The goal was the least the hosts deserved after creating a host of first-half chances, only to waste them with poor finishing.

Kerr was the main culprit, failing to finish a host of opportunities.

Her most glaring miss came after just six minutes.

Set up superbly by the impressive Cortnee Vine, Kerr seemed certain to score from the edge of the six-yard box.

However, the Chelsea star leant back on making contact with the ball, with her shot hitting the crossbar.

Originally published as Matildas news: Australia defeats Thailand 2-0