Matildas marvel at support as home sellout streak ends, Logarzo head knock scare in 3-1 win over Taiwan

Two long Matildas streaks ended as the national team looked to the future during their win over Taiwan on Wednesday night.

The Matildas home sell-out streak ended at 16 games but they still drew 26,795 fans to AAMI Park who cheered raucously during a lively but at times frustrating 3-1 win.

Sharn Freier of the Matildas celebrates a goal against Taiwan.Credit: Getty Images

Taiwan’s goal, via Chen Jin-Wen, was historic as they hadn’t scored at Australia since 2007 and the Matildas hadn’t conceded a goal in Melbourne dating back to 2016 - a streak of six games that included the unforgettable 4-0 win over Canada to keep the FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign alive in 2023.

In a nod to the future, Matildas coach Tom Sermanni started Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant and Natasha Prior who all have the potential to be major contributors in the coming years while Bryleeh Henry bounced off the bench in the second half and made a difference.

In fact Prior, Freier and Henry all scored in what would be the least experienced players to score recently for the Matildas. All three scored their first goals for the national team.

“I think it’s very important to have people who are multiple goalscorers, so I hope it continues,” Sermanni said.

“Tash’s goal and Bryleeh’s goal were both very well taken. The more people we can get on the scoresheet, the better.”

You can expect more of the same for game two between the teams in Geelong on Saturday night with Sermanni determined to give the next generation of players time to shine while also having any available veterans stick around and lead the transition.

One heartbreaking moment was the loss of midfielder Chloe Logarzo following a head clash at the half-hour mark.

It was Logarzo’s first start for the Matildas since 2021 and she was instrumental in much of their good work as she linked up defence and attack.

But it appeared more precautionary then serious, so hopefully Logarzo can get another chance to shine in Geelong.

That’s all we have for you tonight everyone.

Thanks so much for joining us as the Matildas beat Taiwan 3-1. We plan to be back with another Matildas blog for Saturday’s game in Geelong.

Please join us then. Bye for now.

Matildas coach Tom Sermanni saw Australian women’s football in its formative years so he marvels at the growth in support for the national team since the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

But after seeing the Matildas 16-game home sell-out streak end with a still healthy 26,795 at AAMI Park on Wednesday night, Sermanni thinks the national team has developed a level of support he could never imagine in his first stint with the Matildas.

Matildas fans fire up at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.Credit: Getty Images

“It’s unbelievable. It’s really hard to describe,” Sermanni said.

“Particularly, with all due respect, to have sell outs against some of the teams we’ve played - it’s amazing.

“It’s not just the fans but the way they support the team, the noise and the way almost everyone seems to be in a Matildas shirt.

“Where this team is at now in terms of its public profile is amazing.”

Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo may still have the chance to push for selection for Saturday’s second game against Taiwan in Geelong - if she can pass concussion testing.

Coach Tom Sermanni admitted he was disappointed to lose the experienced midfielder following a nasty clash of heads with an opponent.

Chloe Logarzo in action against Pu Hsin-Hui before a nasty clash.Credit: Getty Images

Logarzo was taken off as a precaution as she had an egg form on her but Sermanni said he had yet to be told if she had a concussion.

“We don’t know that yet,” Sermanni said.

“The doctors are still looking at her. She has the old egg on the side of her head, she feels good. She is devastated to have to go off as she has waited a long time to get back into the team with the run of injuries etc.

“I feel really, really disappointed for her but, hopefully, it’s not too bad and she might come into discussions for the next game.”

Two long Matildas streaks ended as the national team looked to the future during their win over Taiwan on Wednesday night.

The Matildas home sell-out streak ended at 16 games but they still drew 26,795 fans to AAMI Park who cheered raucously during a lively but at times frustrating 3-1 win.

Sharn Freier of the Matildas celebrates a goal against Taiwan.Credit: Getty Images

Taiwan’s goal, via Chen Jin-Wen, was historic as they hadn’t scored at Australia since 2007 and the Matildas hadn’t conceded a goal in Melbourne dating back to 2016 - a streak of six games that included the unforgettable 4-0 win over Canada to keep the FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign alive in 2023.

In a nod to the future, Matildas coach Tom Sermanni started Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant and Natasha Prior who all have the potential to be major contributors in the coming years while Bryleeh Henry bounced off the bench in the second half and made a difference.

In fact Prior, Freier and Henry all scored in what would be the least experienced players to score recently for the Matildas. All three scored their first goals for the national team.

“I think it’s very important to have people who are multiple goalscorers, so I hope it continues,” Sermanni said.

“Tash’s goal and Bryleeh’s goal were both very well taken. The more people we can get on the scoresheet, the better.”

You can expect more of the same for game two between the teams in Geelong on Saturday night with Sermanni determined to give the next generation of players time to shine while also having any available veterans stick around and lead the transition.

One heartbreaking moment was the loss of midfielder Chloe Logarzo following a head clash at the half-hour mark.

It was Logarzo’s first start for the Matildas since 2021 and she was instrumental in much of their good work as she linked up defence and attack.

But it appeared more precautionary then serious, so hopefully Logarzo can get another chance to shine in Geelong.

Bryleeh Henry and Remy Siemsen have come on for the Matildas while Taiwan lost Su Yu-Hsuan to what looked like a nasty knee injury.

Henry has just headed home the third goal and she is overjoyed. It’s her first Tillies goal in her third game.

To top it off, she slipped as the ball came to her but kept her poise and headed it home.

Matildas 3, Taiwan 1 after 79 mins.

There is a cracking crowd at AAMI Park tonight.

A crowd of 26,795 has turned out on this balmy evening, so it will end the streak of sold out home games at 16 games.

It’s a hell of a record for any national team. Sadly, it will end tonight and Melbourne hosted a couple of those games including the unforgettable pre-World Cup game against France at Marvel Stadium last year.

It’s still 2-1 to Australia after 76 minutes.

Tameka Yallop of Australia crosses the ball against Taiwan.Credit: Getty Images

The Matildas are dominating passing and possession to start the second half but they cant’t find a way to goal and Taiwan is looking more and more settled in their deep defence.

Gielnik just missed one of the best chances of the game after being put through one-on-one with Taiwan’s keeper only to see her shot saved and deflected wide of the goals.

She would love to have that shot again.

AUS 2, TAI 1 after 58 minutes.

Taiwan’s goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting, right, blocks a shot at goal by Matilda Emily Gielnik.Credit: AP

Australian soccer statistician Andrew Howe has found some gold on how rare that Taiwan goal was...at least in Melbourne during a Matildas game.

Mackenzie Arnold was out on the field well before her teammates to get some extra warm up time in after being needed so seldomly in the first half.

Meanwhile, Ten showed a cut away shot of Logarzo looking so sad after her first Matildas start since 2021 ended early due to a clash of heads.

Chloe Logarzo of Australia reacts after a head clash with Chan Pi-Han.Credit: Getty Images

Veteran Clare Polkinghorne looked to be trying to build up her mate’s spirits. Good on her but that exit is going to hurt Logarzo, as will her face where she clashed heads with a Taiwan player.

Second half is underway with the Matildas up 2-1.