Matildas win 8-0 over Philippines in Olympic qualifier match at sell out Optus Stadium in Perth

Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord were the conductors of an almighty teal assault as the Matildas’ 8-0 win over Philippines puts them in pole position in Perth writes ELIZA REILLY.

The Matildas proved far too strong for the Philippines in their Olympic qualifier, producing a dominant 8-0 win. Picture: Getty Images

This wasn’t just a win. This was a romp.

And Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord were the conductors of an almighty teal assault.

Both had braces on before the main break. Both had hat-tricks a short way into the second half. Neither showed any mercy. The pair were interchangeable, lethal and unstoppable.

The Philippines were supposed to provide the Matildas their toughest test of this second round of Olympic Qualifiers. But the Tillies passed with flying colours, putting themselves in pole position to qualify on top ahead of their final clash with Chinese Taipei on Wednesday night.

An 8-0 win was full of so many highlights it was hard to keep up. Each golden moment, miraculous goal and searching pass was followed by another or something even more spectacular.

The Matildas proved far too strong for the Philippines in their Olympic qualifier, producing a dominant 8-0 win. Picture: Getty Images

Coach Tony Gustavsson swung 10 changes to the line-up that started against Iran, signalling the Matildas’ intentions.

Then in the 15th minute, after several shots on target, it happened.

Kerr passed wide to Ellie Carpenter, the reigning player of the match. She found Foord, who was deemed Sunday’s player of the match. And she flicked it backwards to Mary Fowler who angled it off the far post delightfully.

That’s when the floodgates opened.

7 - Caitlin Foord (@TheMatildas) was directly involved in seven goals vs Philippines today (3 goals, 4 assists) - the joint-most by #Matildas player in a game since Opta began collecting the data in 2016. Amazing.#PHIvAUSpic.twitter.com/d24F8z6cC9

— OptaJason (@OptaJason) October 29, 2023

Kerr booted her first three minutes later, assisted by Foord. The latter wrote her name onto the scoresheet in the 30th minute and had a second three minutes later despite having two Philippines defenders for company.

Not even injury time could save the Philippines. An extra two minutes gave Kerr ample time to get out the back of the Filipinos, banging one home from the box with such force it grazed the top of the net.

Hometown hero Sam Kerr came up with a hat-trick, as did teammate Caitlin Foord. Picture: Getty Images

The records didn’t just tumble on the pitch. With 59,155 patrons packing Optus Stadium, Perth set a new football attendance record, eclipsing the 58,228 fans that watched Manchester United play Aston Villa last year and the 56,371-strong crowd at the 2019 A-League grand final between Perth Glory and Sydney FC.

It’s also the largest crowd for a women’s sporting match in Australia, outside of the Olympics and World Cup. And from a Matildas’ perspective, it was the team’s 10th consecutive sold-out game.

𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵-fect 🏟️

Today's game at Optus Stadium is the biggest-ever crowd for a standalone non-FIFAWWC #Matildas game in Australia! 👏#PHIvAUS#WAtheDreamStatepic.twitter.com/5XmNiDMOBD

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) October 29, 2023

Even with a 5-0 halftime lead, the Matildas’ intensity and work rate did not subside. A desire to get better at regaining the ball, stemming from the World Cup, was put into overdrive.

And Kerr led the way, scoring her fourth international hat-trick with a neatly-guided header just 24 seconds into the second half.

The Philippines had their first shot at goal one minute later, finishing with three to the Matildas’ 23. The Tillies also racked up a mammoth 689 passes, with Fowler’s right boot inflicting maximum damage.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson switched up the team from their win over Iran, fielding a virtually full strength squad. Picture: Getty Images

The changes came in the second half with Australia up 7-0 in the 64th minute. Kerr bid her hometown crowd farewell with young star Amy Sayer assuming a role up front. Emily van Egmond, Cortnee Vine and Clare Wheeler also checked in for Hayley Raso, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry, Gustavsson revisiting the midfield combination that got over the top of Iran on Thursday.

Vine returned to the bench a few minutes later, applying ice to her hamstring after a fall inside the box.

There was also some momentary concern for Kerr, with the star striker pulling up sore from a challenge in the first half before alleviating any concerns with yet another goal.

Wheeler scored her first international goal in the 71st minute, celebrating like a 25-year-old whose been forced to bide her time in a stacked national set-up.

And Foord added a third goal and a third assist in the second half, giving the Matildas eight reasons to celebrate what is shaping as a very successful trip to Perth.

Originally published as Matildas win 8-0 over Philippines in Olympic qualifier match at sell out Optus Stadium in Perth