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.
chris
Guest
You have a poor memory. I said after the loss to Canada (after people including you, wanted her gone) that she was one of the few players that can turn a defensive shape inside out and cause damage. I can't be bothered looking it up because I know what I said :)
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Your the one who wanted to dump Foord. I wanted to dump Glienik. I commented on Foords shooting that she was lucky to get 2 goals , the first was really lucky and the second goal keeper wasnt in the center of the goal. I was also commenting that Foord could do the job centrally, when she moved there against South Africa she should have had a hat trick. Her bulk is her big asset. Van Egmond if she had started Sweden would have probably won, Van Egmond would have done the stop and stare let them shoot unhindered in the penalty area . If you stop the opposition scoring then you win games, its that simple. Her passing under pressure is poor as well, this idea that we need to concede goals to have her in the team is ludicrous, she is not even any good in that aspect.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Yeah, i would suggest that Andy Harper is friends with Robbie Slater, Graeme Arnold and Steve Corica, i.e. just ignore anything said. The optics suggest he takes great delight in putting the size 9 into Newcastle, every time.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Struth, that kid has got it coming out of his ears. That goal with almost zero angle was just extraordinary.
chris
Guest
Whilst I think Harper is a pretty good commentator, his treatment of TG at times has been embarrassing. He literally called for his head the last time they went around and suddenly his tune has changed? Not quite in the Craig Foster/Ange class, but he wasn't far from it.
chris
Guest
Brains you were looking to dump Foord the last time they played weren't you? For me, I have always said we need Foord and we also need Emily Van Egmond. Foord is the only player we have that can go at defenders and pull them apart. And whilst Van Egmond is getting a little slow and not as dynamic, she will be invaluable in a tournament when you need someone who can unlock tiring defensive shapes. And I think Mary Fowler was sent a message. Increase your work rate or you will be starting from the bench.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't take any notice of what Andy Harper says, he's not up to a commentary role, but what a great performance by our women. All of them. In the Euros earlier this year England beat Sweden by that same scoreline, 4-0, pretty much running over them in the second half too. Of course the Lionesses went on to win that tournament, having a bit of luck to get over Germany. But the point is, that Matilda's win building up to next years World Cup puts them in a great place, on the park and mentally. With players like KK and (hopefully) Carpenter coming back, we've got the depth we've long sought, and look capable of going far in the WC.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Dont forget the Kuol act..on full show again today!! :happy: :stoked:
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
What a pleasure it was to watch our girls go round yesterday. And for me they’ve gone to another level. The overlapping runs, the movement in the centre of the pitch, the defence, the switches of play. I would hazard a guess that it has taken a little while for the girls to fully get their heads around Gustavsson’s philosophy, but now that they’re getting it, they’re showing the complexity and quality of play equal to any any in the world. And the amazing thing is that they still have eight months until the big dance. And all the while, it’s games like yesterday’s that are building confidence, cohesion and understanding of what the Gaffer wants. If you’ve never been to a Matildas game, get yourself out there and drag a mate, they play great football. Keep the faith football supporters.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The main obstacle to better players at the moment in the mens team is the lack of equal opportunity in male youth football and now with the same mob turning their attention to female youth football the Matildas could be next in the firing line.
Knocka
Roar Rookie
The largest football code in Australia, in terms of participation, a World Cup coming to Australia, another World Cup for men next month to which we have qualified, international football and internationally recognised Australian football stars competing in Australia and around the world! No other “football code” (i.e. rugby league and union and Aussie Rules) can match the opportunities presented to players, fans, sponsors, media, and governments as by soccer. When will Australia’s media and governments realise the opportunities they are missing by not getting behind football/soccer and supporting the game. We can be world leaders in football, as we are in other sports and activities if we were not so constrained by a biased media and shortsighted governments. Give football/soccer equal opportunity in Australia and it will thrive, to Australia’s benefit. It might take a generation to wipe away the biases of the past, but the benefits are too great to keep ignoring.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
A return to the good old days , Sermanni won the Asia cup in 2010 against three better teams by parking the bus. The Japanese beat the USA to win the world cup the year so it was actually at one of the high points of Asian football. These tactics are good against Sweden because they are a bully team their main attacking weapon is winning the ball . then attacking off that. Hit the ball long denies them the opportunity. Australia didnt push playing out from the back as much as they normally do and hit the long ball more often. While Sweden dominated most of the match lack of easy goal scoring opportunities blunted them. The team selection for once was excellent, most importantly Van Egmond on the bench, the closed players down so with presurre on Sweden they couldn;t score, as opposed to Van Egmonds stop and stare approach. The only negative I see is the coach might get ideas to put Van Egmond back in because she did good job in the final minutes, dont be fooled by that starting Van Egmond is still Matildas greatest problem since 2018. The next good thing is Fowler on the bench what should be her only position. Fowler work rate is never good enough for the start of matches and then gets tired out and becomes a liability. A team of ball winners not ball watchers, Raso, Foord, Vine, Gorry, CooneyCross,Grant are not stop and stare players. Defending deep, highly recommended with slow defenders like Polkinghorne. She is one of the best headers but slow as. Nevin the only player I would be looking at dumping, she cant defend she can do a bit of a Muscat on players mainly and her fullback play is poor, she is also poor in the air and slow anyway. This team and tactics make their world cup chances 1000% better.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Cameron Also the derby got excellent ratings last night, 75k. That's about triple what the A-League has been getting in recent weeks. In fact, the A-League took 12th spot in the multi channels last night, just 1k behind Peppa Pig. It's also worth mentioning that an AFLW final was played at almost the same time as the Matildas game yesterday, and it only got about 2,000. So it's a big, big win for football all round.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
It was an extraordinary win, not just the scoreline, which is incredible enough, but also before the first goal, there was a 12 minute period where Sweden was all over the Matildas, to work their way back in, and pretty much take control from that point shows remarkable maturity in the squad.
chris
Guest
Cameron so true. Football never ends.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Last night’s derby was deafening. My ears are still ringing.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Also, how’s this for Australian football crowds this weekend? Adelaide vs Victory 13,504 Matildas vs Sweden 22,065 Newcastle vs City 7,234 Sydney derby 34,232 And every match has been highly entertaining. Shame Newcastle couldn’t beat city. The amount of chances they created and city being a man down, they really should have capitalised. Was a great game that one though. Fantastic!
Cameron
Roar Guru
I cannot wait to watch our Matildas in action at the FIFA 2023 women's world cup. I have tickets for our family of four to go to Matildas vs Nigeria and both of my children cannot wait! Keep it up Matildas!
Grem
Roar Rookie
A great team effort to beat a quality team. Hope this is the start of a special year for our Matildas.
Simoc
Guest
That was a huge win for the Matildas who had a day out. But the Swedes looked a very capable team early so I think this result is as good as it gets. Great game for Foord.