Australia and China PR have fought to a draw to end their Olympic qualifying campaign, slotting a goal each on their way to Rio qualification.
Australia took control of the early stages with a flurry of attacking opportunities through China’s depleted midfield, however, once the Chinese women settled in their formation they became near unstoppable as they drove through the hapless Matildas defence.
Ma Xiaoxu opened the scoring with a 16th minute header into the bottom right hand corner of the goal, cementing their dominance over the game early.
The remainder of the first half was a grind for both sides with multiple opportunities to add to the scoreboard went begging, frustrating both coaches in the process heading in to the sheds.
The fight continued after the break with some real end to end football disturbing the flow of both sides and it showed with sloppy turnovers and poor ball retention the order of the day.
Despite Australia’s best efforts, China continued to hold court over the match and threatened to double their lead on more than one occasion heading into the final ten minutes of the game.
Enter Emily Van Egmond. The Newcastle native slotted home an absolute stunner from outside the box with just seven minutes remaining to even the scores and give her side the point they needed to retain top spot.
Final Score:
Australia – 1
China PR – 1
Having both already qualified for the Olympics in Rio, the Matildas and China PR will face off for bragging rights and top seeding in the Asian conference tonight. Join The Roar from 9:35pm (AEDT) for all the goals and highlights coming out of Osaka.
Australia have gone four from four to sit two points clear of China PR in the standings, securing their first trip to the Olympics since Athens in 2004 with a 2-1 victory over Korea DPR on Monday.
The Matildas win over Korea DPR also secured China PR’s plain ticket to Rio after they took down Korea Republic by one goal, increasing their lead over third spot to an impassable five points with one game remaining.
The Matildas have slotted an incredible 16 goals from just four encounters during the final stages of qualifying. With key forwards Kyah Simon and Michelle Heyman potting seven of those goals between them, China PR are in for a defensive fight against Australia’s firing front line.
“Asia is the strongest confederation in women’s football and both ourselves and China head to Rio with strong medal chances,” said Australia coach Alen Stajcic.
“We’ve achieved our first goal of qualification, but that’s just the beginning; we’re viewing this match with China as the next step on our path to an Olympic gold medal.”
Australia have taken out two of the last three encounters between the two sides, although the last time they met was an international friendly in October of last year that ended in a tense one-all draw.
Prediction
Australia are in near unstoppable form but a Chinese team that has only conceded two goals all tournament will no doubt be the Matildas’ biggest challenge. With coach Stajcic continuing to experiment with his line up, it will be interesting to see how well the Matildas strong forward attack will fare against the Chinese.
Don’t expect to see any 5-3 blowouts in this contest and a draw could even be the most likely result to come out of the top of the table clash.
Australia – 1
China PR – 1
Can the Matildas maintain their unbeaten record and launch into the Olympics as medal favorites? Or will China take top spot out from under their feet with a big win? Find out tonight from 9:35pm (AEDT) on The Roar for all the action and big moments.
Connor Bennett
Editor
After the W-League got canned from free to air a few years back it looked like womens football would dive into the dark ages but it's just awesome to see the amount of support and popularity the women have been receiving as of late. The deal with channel 7 and constant exposure on The Roar has really put them back in the lime light, not to mention the outstanding football being produced on the park hasn't hurt the girls.
Don Freo
Guest
Good on you girls. Great article about the girls' performance here. http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/james-mcgrath2/this-is-what-happens-when_4_b_9363800.html?utm_hp_ref=au-blog
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It is nice to finish the tournament undefeated. It is also pleasing to see the interest in the Matildas growing. It was only a few years back that any news regarding the Matildas was met with indifference. It appears things are changing. Nice work, Connor.
Midfielder
Guest
Well done girls
Connor Bennett
Editor
A very tight affair between the two side but you have to feel that China held the majority of possession and chances throughout the game. A ripper goal with just six minutes remaining from Emily Van Egmond saved the Matildas from being leapfrogged out of top spot and pull a draw out of a lost situation.
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME Some final desperate attempts to break the draw are to no avail and the final whistle is blown. The players are all looking absolutely buggered after their five games in ten days and a fitting draw ends the tournament for both sides. Australia - 1 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 DeVanna limps off with the trainers and the yellow card has been given to the Chinese player in the end as the free kick is sent long and the goal kick for China is given Australia - 1 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 A very heavy tackle in centre field. DeVanna was hit hard in the legs and she is not getting up at the moment and after seeing some slow mo replays you can see why. Australia - 1 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +4 minutes of stoppage time Australia - 1 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' Oh no Lisa DeVanna!! Huge miss from Australia!! The counter attack was on and DeVanna was gifted the ball on the edge of the box with no one but the keeper in front of her but she can't control the bounce and her shot comes off the shin and wide of the goal Australia - 1 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
88' Play has been stopped as Arnold has stayed down after that save. She dove in with both legs and she's had an awkward impact but she's slowly up and moving again with just a few more minutes to get through Australia - 1 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' Nearly a chance for China!! Arnold makes a great save to stop the goal off the back off some poor communication at the back from the Matildas and the Chinese player gets in to the ball in the box but she's blocked by a diving Arnold Australia - 1 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' Australia with a throw in deep in the Chinese half but they just don't look like they can score at the moment. It's slipped across into the middle of the pitch and OH VAN EGMOND!!! GOAL AUSTRALIA!! Van Egmond with surely the goal of the tournament simply outstanding and pure power. Foord does a stellar job to beat a couple of players and centre it where Van Egmond drills it with such power from ten yards outside the box, the ball just flies through the air and curls late into the top right hand corner of the goal. Super stuff. Australia - 1 China PR - 1
marron
Guest
Great strike from van egmond Foord the little touch again.
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' Yet another corner for China coming up here. Arnold goes for the punch but she doesn't connect but China didn't have anyone there to pounce on the opportunity before the Matildas get the clearance away Australia - 0 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
81' China are working down the right hand side but some very solid defence from the Matildas force them all the way back to half way and over to the left side where they eventually lose the ball Australia - 0 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' China try to play a counter attack but Australia's midfield do well to stifle it before it begins Australia - 0 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' SUBSTITUTION Another change for the Aussies with Gorry coming off for Kellond-Knight Australia - 0 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
75' China are pulled up for a hand ball in their own half and the Matildas have a free kick. They can't make anything of it though and make a sloppy turnover once again Australia - 0 China PR - 1
Connor Bennett
Editor
74' Catley heads it over the back line for a corner and China have a big chance to double their lead. Plays it short and whips it in off the left foot but the Matildas are swarming the ball and they get it out of the danger zone Australia - 0 China PR - 1