Opinion
The Young Matildas have pulled off one of the best wins in their 21-year history after a stirring 5-1 thrashing of the New Zealand under-20s at Deakin Stadium in Canberra tonight.
The Young Matildas had their backs against the wall coming into the game. They were forced to bring in eight new players over the last few days due to strict COVID measures after a few cases of COVID meant a number of first-choice squad members were forced into isolation.
Despite the pre-game drama, it was an energetic performance from Australia, who out-enthused and outwitted their opponents throughout. To their credit, the Junior Football Ferns refused to give in and managed some clever play of their own to keep the Young Matildas honest.
Sarah Hunter was outstanding in the middle, teaming up with Daniela Galic and Jynana Dos Santos to terrorise the Junior Football Ferns.
Kahli Johnson was also superb throughout, while Sheridan Gallagher and Hannah Jones were industrious on the flanks. Naomi Chinnama and Cushla Rue were assured down back and broke down New Zealand’s attacking raids well, while also cleverly using the offside trap.
Australia attacked in waves, with options all over the park. When the Young Matildas had possession, there was always a player on both flanks as well as the middle for a passing option, while Hunter often sat back for a pass back option too.
When there was nothing on, they were prepared to hold possession before space opened up.
This game plan caused plenty of confusion for the Kiwis who spent a lot of energy trying to cover players.
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
When New Zealand had possession, Australia continually put pressure on them giving them little time on the ball. The space was clogged up too, giving the Kiwis no room to move or even breathe. It caused plenty of turnovers and gave Australia possession in dangerous territory.
It was a tactical masterclass from Leah Blayney, who ensured her team put their opponents on the back foot early while not letting up throughout the 90 minutes. The Young Matildas were able to explore a number of avenues to goal, while ensuring they didn’t give the Kiwis any easy touches the other way.
Australia took the lead in the second minute when Dos Santos lashed home after the Kiwis failed to properly clear a Gallagher corner.
Ava Pritchard had a golden chance to draw New Zealand level only a few minutes later, but Chloe Lincoln pulled off an outstanding save to keep Australia ahead.
The Young Matildas kept on playing fast football, with Hunter and Galic always moving forward while using Gallagher and Jones on the wings to stretch their opponents.
New Zealand had little chance to even think as the Young Matildas’ press proved too much to handle. It paid dividends in the 20th minute for Australia when they doubled their lead after Galic won a penalty.
She intercepted the ball from another wayward pass, before driving into the box and teasing the defence to draw a foul.
Hunter stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the top right-hand corner. Kiwi goalie Bree Edwards had no chance to stop it.
Despite a comfortable lead Australia didn’t let up. Playing the game at a frenetic pace, their swift passing game tired out their opponents.
This fatigue helped Australia get their third. In the 39th minute Gallagher pinched the ball from an opponent before laying the ball off to Galic, who took a few steps forward and unleashed a drive from outside the penalty box that Edwards could not keep out.
It was no less than the Young Matildas deserved.
The Junior Football Ferns refused to give in and pulled a goal back in the 44th minute when Charlotte Lancaster caught Lincoln off her line and unleashed a bullet from 30 yards, which sailed into the net to make it 3-1 at halftime.
Australia started the second half just like the first. In the 54th minute, after causing the Kiwis to play the ball out due to relentless pressure, a throw-in went to the feet of Johnson, who moved into the box and drew a careless foul from Kate Taylor.
Johnson stepped up from the spot and confidently despatched past Edwards into the top right-hand corner.
In the 57th minute it was five after a teasing Hunter corner caused a mini scramble in the box, with the ball eventually falling to Gallagher, who took a nice touch before cheekily back heeling the ball into the back of the net.
At 5-1 the Kiwis still refused to give in, pressing the Young Matildas. However Chinnama, Rue and second half substitute Ella Tonkin held their nerve to keep their opponents at bay.
Olivia Ingham had a chance in the 75th minute to grab a consolation but Lincoln pulled off another brilliant save from point-blank range, before following up with a brave punch after a goalmouth scramble.
With New Zealand finally enjoying more of the ball, the Young Matildas decided to hold possession and to wear the Junior Football Ferns down. The intelligent play would have impressed Blayney, whose well drilled team were able to show a number of strings to their bow.
The teams will now stay in Canberra for Sunday’s second game of the series.
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