Cup of Nations: Matildas overcome disjointed start with four second-half goals to beat Czechia in Gosford
The Matildas were scoreless and frustrated at halftime, but a rousing speech from captain Sam Kerr changed everything, writes TILLY WERNER.
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A rousing half time speech by captain Sam Kerr inspired the Matildas to a second half goal frenzy to open their Cup of Nations campaign in Gosford on Thursday night.
A Hayley Raso double, a Kerr special and a Clare Polkinghorne goal in her record-breaking 152nd Matildas appearance propelled Australia to a 4-0 win over Czechia after a disjointed and scoreless first half.
“It was Kerr’s halftime speech,” Tony Gustavsson said of Australia’s second half revival.
“She has grown. Sam is an emotional player and she can be the passion and the heart of the team when need be and drive people, demand, both with her play and her voice.
“I definitely think she has grown with her leadership over these two years.”
Kerr’s team hit the accelerator in the second half as Gustavsson‘s combinations settled after the break to put four goals past the Czech defence.
The Matildas‘ win against the world’s No. 28 ranked nation is their fifth in a row and comes just 154 days out from the historic first match of the FIFA World Cup against Republic of Ireland at Accor Stadium.
“In the first half, there was no space, because they were so compact but also it was too slow,” Gustavsson continued. “Playing against a low block is a process, you need to wear a team down to open up the last third and it takes patience.”
Gustavsson opted for an attacking style of play and, with in-form Caitlin Foord rested, Sam Kerr and Cortnee Vine added plenty of power going forward. Kerr, though, found it difficult to penetrate the penalty box early, heavily guarded by the Czech backline.
A Raso-Vine flank switch enlivened the Australians, with the best opportunity of the half coming from a link up between the pair, culminating in Raso sending a cross that met Mary Fowler’s head an inch too high.
Kyra Cooney-Cross was dynamic through the midfield, continuing her form from 2022 into the new year, yet her halves partner Katrina Gorry struggled to have the same impact in the middle third.
The Australians entered halftime without a goal and frustrated by a general lack of cohesion.
The mood soon changed.
Clare Hunt was a welcome substitution, with the 23-year-old making her Matildas debut at the half. The Western Sydney Wanderer looked at ease, partnering Polkinghorne – who moved one clear of Cheryl Salisbury for the most Matildas’ appearances – and giving Gustavsson plenty to ponder with Spain’s attack looming.
The breakthrough came on 48 minutes with a Kerr break providing an opening for Raso, whose deflected shot penetrated the bottom right of the Czech goal and provided the Matildas some much needed inspiration.
With longer balls finding targets, the Matildas gained more confidence and Raso promptly added to her tally from a Catley corner and Hunt assist in the 54th minute.
At 2-0 down, the Czechs struggled to find a way back in, denied time on the ball by a more pressing and determined Matildas’ attack than that which presented in the first half.
Kerr effectively sealed the result with a signature flourish, thrashing home a deflected save in the 69th minute, before Polkinghorne enjoyed a dream finish to her historic night, touching on a corner to send home the Matildas’ fourth goal for the evening much to the delight of the Gosford crowd.
While Gustavsson would be satisfied to start the year with a win, the Matildas’ inability to break down the Czechia defence through the first 45 will be a key area of focus this week given the Czechs’ structural form is similar to the defensive stylings of Canada, whom the Australians will face in their final World Cup pool match.
The Matildas will face a steeper challenge against Spain on Saturday, who will pose a significantly greater attacking threat than the Czech frontline.
The Spanish team encountered few difficulties in overcoming Jamaica 3-0 earlier in the afternoon.
Despite fielding an understrength team, owing to a contract dispute that is threatening the No. 7 ranked nation’s World Cup hopes, Spain looked structured and controlled the full 90 minutes, with Jamaica’s physical brand of football proving no match for the Spaniards’ finesse.
While Spanish coach Jorge Rodriguez didn’t front the media post-match, his team made clear that they have little trepidation about facing the Matildas at home this Sunday.
Originally published as Cup of Nations: Matildas overcome disjointed start with four second-half goals to beat Czechia in Gosford
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