Matildas v China: Sam Kerr strikes twice, Kyah Simon scores stunner as Australia flex muscles
THE Matildas fired a warning shot across the bows of their rivals just 20 weeks out from the 2018 Asian Cup, dismantling China 5-1 in Geelong on Sunday afternoon.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Matildas fired a warning shot across the bows of their rivals just 20 weeks out from the 2018 Asian Cup, dismantling China 5-1 in Geelong.
Ominously, coach Alen Stajcic admitted the scoreline was “flattering” in a disjointed but clinical display.
Australia’s attacking prowess and growing pool of depth was on display, with the Matildas making six changes but looking every bit as sharp and dangerous as Wednesday night’s 3-0 win at AAMI Park.
Kyah Simon headlined the inclusions with an intelligent and balanced midfield display plus a stunning goal to boot — spotting keeper Bi Xiaolin off her line and making her pay, unleashing from 25 metres to equalise after China opened the scoring.
“I don’t think it was our best performance this year. The scoreboard was a bit flattering, it wasn’t a real reflection of the game today,’’ Stajcic said.
“But it shows our potency in attack and counter attack and set pieces.
“It was a bit disjointed but too many turnovers in the back for my liking.
“When we’ve played a five-out-of-10 game, to be able to win 5-1 is a good sign.”
China had made a seventh-minute statement, when midfielder Ren Guixin ghosted in on the Matildas defence.
But Simon’s goal triggered a complete momentum shift as the Matildas stamped their authority on the contest thanks to their physical superiority and cutting edge.
A Caitlin Foord burst down the right led to the second. Chloe Logarzo couldn’t get on the end of it but caused sufficient havoc as defender Li Danyang turned the ball into her own net.
Keeper Xiaolin was forced off after colliding with her own defender in the same incident.
Showing little compassion, Sam Kerr pickpocketed left-back Xue Jiao before firing a rocket at Lu FeiFei within nine minutes of her entrance that the substitute keeper found too hot to handle.
Play was halted just moments after Kerr’s goal due to lightning, before restarting 30 minutes later.
The stoppage helped China with Matildas keeper Lydia Williams busier after the restart, producing three top-class saves from Ma Jun, Guixin and Tang Jiali.
Killer Kerr then pounced, flicking on a well-flighted Emily van Egmond free-kick into an empty net in the 58th minute.
Australia’s fifth goal was a most impressive team effort.
Alleway’s piercing pass found sub Amy Harrison, who slid in a stellar ball to release Kerr. Foord’s front post burst provided an option but Kerr instead squared for unmarked Logarzo who tapped into an empty net.
Williams was too busy for Stajcic’s liking, forced into one more stunning save when she tipped Han Peng’s shot onto the post after she was clear.
AUSTRALIA 5 (Kyah Simon 14m, Li Danyang 25m og, Samantha Kerr 38m, 58m, Chloe Logarzo 68m) bt CHINA 1 (Ren Guixin 7m) at GMHBA Stadium. Crowd: 6,338.
Originally published as Matildas v China: Sam Kerr strikes twice, Kyah Simon scores stunner as Australia flex muscles