Caitlin Foord hat-trick sets up crushing win for Matildas

It was hard work for 50 minutes, but the real Matildas stood up, and how, after thumping Chile 5-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Caitlin Foord of Australia celebrates her hat-trick against Chile. Picture: Getty Images

It was hard work for 50 minutes, but the real Matildas stood up, and how, after thumping Chile 5-0 in Newcastle last night.

It might have come too late to save their world ranking, but the Australians at least got some measure of revenge after losing the first game 3-2 in Penrith in what was probably one of their worst performances in the past 12 months.

Mind you, the scoreline is a little deceptive as they didn’t have it all their own way last night. The South Americans made life difficult during a frustrating first half that saw the teams scoreless.

But a stunning second half hat-trick from player of the match Caitlin Foord and goals from Sam Kerr and Emily Gielnik sent the 12,600 strong crowd in Newcastle home in good spirits.

To be fair though, Foord was probably lucky to still be on the field after the match officials missed her elbow on an opponent just before halftime.

Given the Netherlands are expected to beat Switzerland this week, Australia are now likely to drop from sixth to seventh on the world rankings — a drop that will see them miss out on a seeding at the World Cup in France next year.

Still, coach Alen Stajcic will be much happier after watching his team produce some of the attacking brilliance that has marked their football over the past two years after making three changes to the starting side, the most influential of which was the return of Alanna Kennedy to the defence.

The coach admitted Chile probably shaded his side in the first half but was happy with the way the Matildas grabbed hold of the game.

“The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game as I thought Chile were really good in the first half. Their ball speed, touches and technique was excellent and they shaded us in terms of quality but once we got the goal and a bit of momentum we capitalised,” Stajcic said. “I thought we probably could have a had a few more goals in the last 15 minutes and put our foot on their throat but we didn’t make the most of it.”

Stajcic praised Foord, who is not long back from a serious injury.

“She could be one of the best players in the world, and I have told her that a few times,” he said. “She showed glimpses of that tonight. She has so much left in her … she is a fantastic mover with the ball and her one-on-one dribbling skills are exceptional. She will need another six or seven games to get fit and find her balance.”

Stajcic said he is hoping to continue preparations for the World Cup with a camp in January and some games in February and April, possibly a series at home.

In the first half, the Matildas build up play was slow and laborious but their best avenue for attack came down the right side where Ellie Carpenter was causing a few problems with her speed.

She was at the centre of the first two chances for the home side, first providing a cross that just eluded Kerr and then a wonderful ball to the far post for Chloe Logarzo, who headed over the bar from close range.