Matildas draw 1-1 with China to wrap up Olympic qualifying tournament

THE Matildas have finished their Olympic qualifying tournament with a 1-1 with China in Japan on Wednesday night.

OSAKA, JAPAN - MARCH 09: Lou Jiahui of China and Ellie Carpenter of Australia compete for the ball during the AFC Women's Olympic Final Qualification Round match between Australia and China at Yanmar Stadium Nagai on March 9, 2016 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

IT was billed as the Matildas’ first step in their preparation for the Rio Olympics and the result would have provided some valuable experience and a handy boost of confidence.

In their final game of the gruelling qualifying tournament, the Matildas fought back admirably to draw 1-1 with China on another freezing night in Japan. Emily Van Egmond netted a late equaliser in the 85th minute with an absolute screamer to grab a share of the spoils.

It was their fifth game in 10 days and the Matildas will depart Japan undefeated, having accomplished what they set out to.

With both teams already having sealed their places at the Olympics, the match was always going to provide an opportunity to build some depth.

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic said as much before the game and he opted to give Alanna Kennedy and Elise Kellond-Knight a well deserved break. It was still a strong team though, with Kyah Simon, Lisa De Vanna, Katrina Gorry and Van Egmond all in the starting lineup.

China’s goal came early in the first half and, for the majority of the game, the Matildas were on the back foot. Understandably fatigue began to play a part, but still Australia went in search of an equaliser and it finally came through Van Egmond.

The only dampener was a late injury to De Vanna, who was left limping after a nasty challenge by China’s Tan Ruyin

Originally published as Matildas draw 1-1 with China to wrap up Olympic qualifying tournament