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A day after her 28th birthday, Caitlin Foord was outstanding as the Matildas took out a convincing 4-0 victory against Sweden in the Women’s International Friendly on Saturday.
Foord was superb for Australia, scoring two goals, and seemed to be everywhere during her side’s win at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
“She has been unbelievable in international football,” said Ten commentator Andy Harper. “The most dominant singular performance I have seen in an international match for some time.”
A modest Foord was grateful for the praise she received from the commentators after the match.
“Thank you. I am just enjoying myself at the moment and enjoying my football, and I guess when we come home we want to take every opportunity to make the most of it. I love playing with these girls, so that definitely showed tonight and I am happy to hit the back of the net,” said Foord.
In front of 22,065 fans, the Aussies held off a strong start from the Swedes to turn the momentum around. It was all one-way traffic in the second half for the Matildas, who managed to keep their opposition scoreless. It was a historic victory for Australia against the world’s number two side, and a great confidence boost on the road to the upcoming World Cup.
“Eight months out from co-hosting the World Cup on home soil, the Matildas have claimed a huge international scalp in the form of European powerhouse Sweden without conceding a goal,” said Harper.
“It is just the six times since March 2012 that Sweden have been beaten by four goals, but what a result from the Matildas today,” added Tara Rushton. “The highest-ranked nation they have defeated since 2017. Back in 2017 that was team USA. Today they got it done as they warm up to the world’s number two side Sweden.”
Sam Kerr was once again brilliant in the green and gold, scoring a goal and having a part in two others.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
A foul by Sweden in just the second minute gifted Australia an early corner, but Katrina Gorry couldn’t find the mark. A Kerr free kick gave a corner straight back, but a header by Sweden’s Linda Sembrant was too high and sailed past the goals.
Sweden found themselves on the front foot and were making their way up field, but an offside call halted their momentum.
The Matildas were able to make a breakaway, and with the ears pinned back was screaming for the ball with nothing but space in front of her, but it turned into a chance gone begging for the Aussies.
The Swedes were quickly back on the attack, but two goal attempts within minutes were denied by the Australian defence. The pressure kept coming from the visitors, who were definitely on the front foot in the game.
“Sweden do look to be more in control, taking more comfortable position and creating some really good opportunities,” said commentator Grace Gill.
A free kick to the Matildas almost resulted in the first points of the match, but a beautiful save from Zecira Musovic kept the teams locked at 0-0.
Kyra Cooney-Cross received the first yellow card of the match in the 28th minute after a bad foul. This gave the Swedes a perfect opportunity at goal but once again they didn’t find the net.
Despite the constant threats from Sweden, it was the Matildas who lit up the scoreboard first through none other than Kerr. The Aussie superstar found the first chink in Sweden’s armour against the run of play with eight minutes left in the first half, after a pinpoint accurate assist from teammate Hayley Raso.
“It was a finish where Sam Kerr was able to make something of a difficult situation,” said Gill. “She had two defenders, really tight to her but the run and the timing were excellent, Hayley Raso did really well to hold onto that ball for long enough.”
There was a short break in play when Stephanie Catley copped an accidental poke in the eye from Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius. She was back on the attack in no time, combining with Foord to almost give the Australians a 2-0 lead before halftime but goalkeeper Musovic was able to make the save to keep her side trailing by one at the break.
“Time and time again, we see that combination,” said Gale. “Catley and Caitlin Foord have such chemistry down that left-hand side.”
Despite the early waves of pressure from Sweden, Australia were the ones to head to the sheds in the lead.
“A bright start from the Matildas saw Sweden take control of the contest, only to be stung by none other than Sam Kerr, Australia’s all-time leading scorer with goal number 64 for the Matildas,” said Harper.
But it was all green and gold in the second half, and the Matildas doubled their lead early after some individual brilliance from Foord saw her get past the Swedish defenders to score with a right-footed shot from outside the box.
“Musovic got a good hand to it but couldn’t quite do enough to steer it outside,” said Gale. “But a world-class strike there from Caitlin Foord.”
Foord almost added to her tally soon after when she got her foot to a header from Kerr, but Musovic got her fingers to it just in time.
A beautiful steal from Raso saw her streak up the field with two defenders in her way. She was able to kick the ball past them toward the goals but Musovic once again spoiled the party. Raso would have liked her time over again minutes later when she missed an opportunity from close range. But teammate Mary Fowler made sure she didn’t miss, when her left foot kick deflected off a Swedish defender to give Australia a 3-0 lead.
It wasn’t long until Australia extended their lead to 4-0, when Emily van Egmond and Kerr combined to set up Foord for her second goal of the game.
Sweden tried desperately to score a consolation goal, but the Aussies held them out for a four point win.