Analysis: Matildas cap off successful trip to Perth with 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei with final Olympic Qualifier locked in

Three games. Three wins. Three goals to cap off a successful trip to Perth. One last step to Paris, writes ELIZA REILLY.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 01: Mary Fowler of the Matildas celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during the AFC Women's Asian Olympic Qualifier match between Australia and Chinese Taipei at HBF Park on November 1, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Three games. Three wins. Three goals to cap off a successful trip to Perth. One last step on the road to Paris.

Mary Fowler was excellent, opening the Matildas account in the 62nd minute with a powerful long-range strike much to the delight of new love interest Nathan Cleary. There was something about Mary. Fowler was justly awarded player of the match.

Sam Kerr doubled the damage six minutes later, tapping one in after a mix-up between Chinese Taipei’s defence, making it five goals in three games for the hometown hero. It wasn’t the only opportunity Kerr received but it was the one she put away.

And Tameka Yallop put the result beyond doubt in the 76th minute with a sliding strike, assisted by Amy Sayer who continues to grow in stature.

Beyond that trio of individual moments, Chinese Taipei was otherwise defensively quite impressive in the 3-0 defeat, especially in the first half at a packed HBF Park.

The equation for the Matildas was relatively simply. Two Asian Football Confederation Olympic Qualifiers games were still in progress by the time the Matildas finished. But a draw between China and South Korea was enough to hand Uzbekistan the title of the second-best ranked side following a 3-0 win over India.

Australia will play Uzbekistan in a two-game tie, with the first clash to be played away on February 24th followed by a return to Australia on the 28th with a venue to be announced in due course.

The visitors frustrated the hosts early before Mary Fowler struck. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

That wasn’t known until around an hour post-game but the Matildas didn’t need hindsight. The goal was to win and win by as much as possible to create as much distance as possible between the other three remaining teams.

But it quickly became clear that Chinese Taipei is no Philippines. This team was tough, structured and desperate.

They created the same sort of frustrating congestion that Iran did without the theatrics. When they got hit, they got straight back up. And they threw themselves in front of the Matildas’ shots on goal, no matter how forceful.

The Matildas’ best look in the first half came off the boot of Fowler, her powerful strike somehow hitting the bar and bouncing out without crossing the line. Other shots, of which there were a few, were either misguided or not powerful enough to trouble the keeper.

There were cries of handball and pleas for a penalty when a strike seemingly brushed the untucked arm of a Chinese Taipei defender. But it was too hard to tell in real-time whether it was deserving of a spot kick, a job for the VAR if there was one.

The Matildas also took the opportunity to cast an eye to the future and reward form.

You’d suspect that Clare Wheeler, 25, and Kyra Cooney-Cross, 21, will serve as the Matildas’ long-term midfield pairing. The former was exceptional against Iran in game one, earning high praise from Gustavsson. And the latter was the breakout star of the Matildas’ World Cup campaign, doing a mountain of work in the midfield alongside Katrina Gorry.

Sam Kerr got on the scoresheet again. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Wheeler earned a start against Chinese Taipei after Gustavsson earlier indicated he would select his starting 11 based on performance. But the Everton midfielder started at right-back following Ellie Carpenter’s departure back to France.

It was defence in theory but not in practice. When the Matildas went forward, Wheeler followed, playing higher and more central before being benched at half-time in favour of Charlotte Grant.

Katanning-born goalkeeper Lydia Williams was the other half-time addition, receiving a big hug from Gustavsson and a pat on the back from protégé Mackenzie Arnold before entering the action.

Opposing keeper Cheng Ssu-Yu was excellent, putting in a brave shift despite the constant barrage.

Originally published as Analysis: Matildas cap off successful trip to Perth with 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei with final Olympic Qualifier locked in