This was published 6 months ago
We’re into the press conferences here at Accor Stadium so it’s time for us to say good night.
Stay tuned for a no doubt brilliant piece of writing from Emma Kemp to come very soon on the scenes here - and tomorrow, for our coverage of the Matildas’ Olympic squad announcement.
Thanks for joining us, catch you next time.
And that’s it.
The final whistle has gone, and the Matildas have prevailed 2-0 in their final pre-Olympics outing on Aussie soil.
That ticked every box required. The Matildas were much, much better than the other night in Adelaide. They took their moments in attack, with Clare Wheeler’s header and Hayley Raso’s simple finish (after Cortnee Vine’s stunning assist) giving them the edge of the scoreboard. And defensively, China didn’t really throw anything at them that caused concern.
Plus, the Lydia Williams farewell will live long in the memory.
Tomorrow morning, we’ll find out who’s going to Paris 2024.
Nearly there, folks. Just four more minutes of stoppage time to come before the final whistle - and you’d have to say this has been a very good night at the office for the Matildas. Easily the better team, addressed some of the problems from Friday night’s game, and they’ve managed to send off one of their all-time greats on an absolutely beautiful note. Plus, that Cortnee Vine pass alone made all of this worth it - even if nothing else happened, that through ball would have sent everyone home happy.
Australia 2-0 China, 90+ minutes
Two more substitutions for the Matildas: Ellie Carpenter and Alanna Kennedy off, Charlotte Grant and Clare Polkinghorne on.
Reading between the lines here, but that makes it 17 players to have set foot on the pitch tonight for Australia… and an 18-player Olympic squad to be announced tomorrow morning at around 10am. And we’re hearing that the players already know who’s in and who’s out.
Surely Tony G wouldn’t be fielding any players tonight, then, who won’t be going to Paris?
Australia 2-0 China, 88 minutes
Hayley Raso celebrates her goal.Credit: Getty
The Tillies fans are loving this.Credit: Getty
Tonight’s attendance is 76,798 - and I’m fairly certain that is a new record for the Matildas, folks.
During the World Cup they could only fit 75,784 people into Accor Stadium, which was previously the biggest crowd in Matildas history … and that number above is clear of it by about 1000.
This is, therefore, officially the biggest crowd the Matildas have ever played in front of. Ever.
And it’s a Monday night in June for a friendly.
I think that’s what they call the Matildas effect.
Australia 2-0 China, 77 minutes
Yes, it is worth remembering there is another team out there tonight - and China have just had maybe their best moment of the match. Kind of by default because they Tang Jiali forced Mackenzie Arnold into a fairly routine save.
Meanwhile, another change by the Matildas - Tameka Yallop is off, and Kaitlyn Torpey is on... and nearly another goal by the Matildas, too, with Hayley Raso taking a ping that went through Cortnee Vine’s legs and was destined for the bottom corner until China’s custodian Huan Xu said no, no, no, stop right there thank you.
Australia 2-0 China, 67 minutes
Clare Wheeler wheels away.Credit: Getty
Woooooooooof.
The Matildas go 2-0 up and Hayley Raso has the goal … but what an absolutely beautiful through ball from Cortnee Vine. Like, that’s just what it’s all about. Without that pass, nothing happens here.
It was perfectly weighted - she spotted Raso’s run and gave it just enough juice to roll into her path as she sprinted past China’s defensive line. Raso still had plenty to do to hold off her marker and touch the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper, as well as dial up the speed to make it all workable… and she did it all. Then all it took was a light touch into an empty net.
Fantastic football.
Australia 2-0 China, 56 minutes
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5jiux