The Matildas responded to an “superb” speech from Sam Kerr to awake from a first-half slumber and thrash Czechia 4-0 in Gosford on Thursday night time.
The Europeans had been the higher of the groups within the opening 45 minutes, with the Matildas beginning their Cup of Nations marketing campaign on a sleepy and at instances disorganised method on the Central Coast.
Nonetheless, following a stirring half-time tackle from star Chelsea striker Kerr, the Matildas confirmed better intent and power within the second half, and had been rewarded with 4 targets in a constructive signal forward of this 12 months’s FIFA Girls’s World Cup.
Two targets got here from Manchester Metropolis winger Hayley Raso, whereas Kerr and record-breaking defender Clare Polkinghorne additionally obtained on the scoresheet.
Polkinghorne’s 84th-minute purpose was a becoming option to finish the sport, with the veteran defender captaining the aspect on the night time she grabbed sole possession of the document for many Matildas appearances with 152.
The 34-year-old Queenslander was additionally rock strong in defence in opposition to a Czechia aspect that troubled the Matildas within the first-half earlier than being outclassed by the hosts for the rest of the competition,
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was happy along with his aspect’s second-half response, and paid credit score to Kerr for lifting her teammates.
“Her half-time speak was superb,” Gustavsson instructed Community 10.
“Her management is phenomenal. She’s been round in necessary video games and might replicate what it may be like.
“Be affected person, imagine, be constructive, energised however we have to play quicker, we have to higher … it’s that stability of help and demand. It’s nice management.”
Earlier, Kerr had claims for a penalty waved away within the 18th minute when she was outmuscled by veteran Czechia defender Petra Bertholdová.
The Matildas then wasted a possible likelihood seven minutes later with a poorly positioned go from Raso.
Czechia then took management, and had three probabilities within the area of six minutes.
On every event, Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was compelled into saves.
The West Ham custodian tipped a long-distance effort from defender Anna Dlaskova across the submit within the twenty sixth minute.
Arnold was then grateful for a poor end from Jitka Chlastákova within the twenty ninth minute.
Chlastákova, who performs for the Western Sydney Wanderers within the A-League girls’s competitors, ought to have scored however directed her weak shot straight into the grateful arms of Arnold.
Sloppy play from the Matildas then led to an opportunity for Michaela Khyrova within the thirty second minute, however Arnold once more got here to Australia’s rescue with sensible save at her close to submit.
That proved to be the tip of Czechia’s highlights, with Raso giving the Matildas the lead three minutes after half-time through a shot that deflected off Dlaskova and hit the within of the submit earlier than rolling into the again of the online.
Raso doubled Australia’s lead within the 56th minute with a close-range header.
Kerr’s 62nd purpose made it 3-0 within the 71st minute, with Polkinghorne offering the icing on the cake 13 minutes later.
In Thursday’s early Cup of Nations match, Spain beat Jamaica 3-0.
