The Matildas take on Chile in the second of a two-match friendly series at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm (AEDT).
Goals in both halves from Australian captain Samantha Kerr gave the Matildas a hard-fought win in the opening match between these teams on Saturday afternoon at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney.
Chile pulled a goal back late, yet the Australians held on in what was another valuable hit out for the team.
February and March will see the Matildas undertake a qualifying campaign for the 2020 Olympics that will follow just months later and coach Ante Milicic is using this series as a final prelude to what will be a tricky task to qualify.
Phase three should be a doddle, yet the final phase will see the women’s national team up against the best Asia has to offer.
Australia did look the better team on Saturday, dominating possession and asking serious questions of the Chilean defence. However, the visitors had their moments and are more than capable of winning should the Australians fail to convert chances, and Chile are able to strike on the counter.
Tonight’s match will provide Milicic with the opportunity to shuffle his squad around and present opportunities to players he is watching closely. It will be interesting to see how he approaches the attacking third. In the opening match, Kerr and Caitlin Foord appeared all over each other’s heels as Chile sat back.
Unlocking the key to breaking down defences in Asia could be pivotal when it comes to the qualifiers. Milicic will undoubtedly be focussing on that tonight and will expect to see the net bulge on multiple occasions.
Prediction
The Matildas should be too strong for Chile once again and I’m expecting at least three goals from them.
Matildas 4, Chile 1
Game information
Where: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
When: 8pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Matildas $1.17, Draw $6.00, Chile $15.00
Catch all the action on The Roar with live coverage from 8pm (AEDT).
Teams
Matildas
1. Lydia Williams, 2. Jenna McCormick, 3.Aivi Luik, 4. Clare Polkinghorne, 5. Karly Roestbakken, 6. Chloe Logarzo, 7. Steph Catley, 9. Caitlin Foord, 10. Emily van Egmond, 12. Sarah Willacy, 13. Tameka Yallop, 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Emily Gielnik, 16, Hayley Raso, 18. Mackenzie Arnold, 19. Katrina Gorry, 20. Sam Kerr, 21. Ellie Carpenter, 22. Amy Harrison, 23. Emma Checker.
Chile
Christiane Endler, Natalia Campos, Antonia Canales, Carla Guerrero Camila Sáez, Fernanda Pinilla, Rocío Soto, Javiera Toro, Su Helen Galaz, Nayadet López, Francisca Lara, Karen Araya, María Francisca Mardones, Daniela Pardo, Yessenia López, Yanara Aedo, Daniela Zamora, Yazmín Torrealba, María José Urrutia, Rosario Balmaceda, Javiera Roa.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I understand Ante will not take this team to the Olympics, if they qualify. What's he doing still coaching them?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
friendly in the sense it's not for a title, like Asia Cup, World Cup et al. It's a training match, a trial, friendly. Most sports don't have the depth of competitions as soccer, so they lack these friendly matches, seemingly playing simply because they're the next team on the list.
James
Guest
Sorry but what is a friendly? How can an international side play a ‘friendly’ If they are the Matilda’s then it is an international game or if it is an Australian selection then it is a friendly.
Simoc
Guest
It was but from the other point of view, how did Chile miss. They don't come any easier.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Matildas have played and won their final match in Australia for 2019 before heading overseas to seek Olympic qualification in March. Chile played well tonight and were an improved unit on what we saw last Saturday. Emily Gielnik found the net in the first half and when Sam Kerr had the chance to double that lead prior to the break with a penalty, there seemed to be a chance that the floodgates would open for the Matildas in the second period of play. However, Campos saved Kerr's penalty and the Chileans played a committed and bold brand in the second half as the Matildas made numerous changes in an attempt to find some attacking fluency. Such fluency came late with a host of chances, but Chile held on bravely and I'm not sure what Ante Milicic learnt from the match outside of the fact that Tameka Yallop should not be playing in the number 6 role for the Matildas. There will be a host of changes evident when the team next takes to the pitch in February. Hopefully, Aivi Luik is in the six spot and controlling things. It might also be prudent to ensure Kerr and Caitlin Foord stay out of each other's way in attack. The Matildas' attacking third looks too congested in my view and Milicic needs to address that area before tackling the qualifiers that loom in the new year. For now, the Matildas are winners. Both games against Chile have been navigated successfully, yet there appears to be considerable improvement in the squad if tonight's performance is anything to go by. Final Score Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the match and be sure to tune in on Friday morning for the Socceroos' clash with Jordan in their latest World Cup Qualifier. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The Matildas have beaten Chile in Adelaide by one goal to nil. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+5 Final minute here as Chile stifle an Australian attack down the right and we are done. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+4 Williams cleans up an easy ball at the back and the Matildas go looking for a goal. I'm not sure why but there you go. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 Another moment for Kerr before Chile hack the ball away and the Matildas have looked better in the lest 10 minutes than they did for the first 80 in my view. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 A dangerous ball into the box is flicked on by Raso and trickles past the far post with Kerr lurking. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+1 Five added minutes apparently. Where in the world did that come from? Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
91' Just added time now. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' If you think that will stop Hayley you are kidding yourself! Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' Raso cops a knock in the face and we have a slight pause. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' Now the Australian's attack in waves down the right......notice......the right! They win a free on.....the right! Spare me days! Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' Chile are caught off-side as the clock winds down. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
85′ Another great wave of attack off the stability of Luik. The Matildas looking far better late. They win a corner and Chile hack it clear. Australia.………1 Chile……………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
84' Much better control and build up from Australia with Luik in command. The ball into the area almost finds the head of Foord......Chile clear. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
82' Another terrible decision as Kerr and Foord foul Campos on the corner kick. Not a good game from the officials. Australia.………1 Chile…………...0