Australia Women
4
Match Complete
South Africa Women
1
| 91' |  | T. Letsoso | ||
| 87' |  | H. Magaia | ||
| C. Foord | | 53' | ||
| C. Polkinghorne | | 42' | ||
| C. Vine | | 24' | ||
| C. Vine | | 5' |
| 19 | Shots | 1 | ||
| 9 | On Target | 1 | ||
| 6 | Fouls | 7 | ||
| 9 | Corners | 0 | ||
| 2 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
The Matildas continue their preparations for the 2023 Women’s World Cup with a friendly against South Africa at Kingsmeadow in London. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 10:30pm (AEDT).
As the murmurings around the long-term future of Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson continue to circle, his squad has a chance to impress against the 54th-ranked South Africa in a rare friendly match on English soil.
Gustavsson has selected a strong and familiar looking squad, despite some injury concerns and the manner in which he approaches the match will be intriguing to watch. Past selection decisions that have appeared a little bizarre from afar will have to be avoided should he hope to rebuild confidence in many Australian fans who feel the team is slipping quickly away from true contention at next years World Cup.
It has been a mixed past month for the South Africans, with wins against Namibia and Mauritius off-set by convincing losses to Brazil on two separate occasions and a 1-0 loss to Zambia in the COSAFA Cup final.
Banyana Banyana has plenty of quality and talented athletes in its ranks and coach Desiree Ellis has her team standing now as the best in Africa and destined to give a good account of itself when the world meets in Australia and New Zealand next year. She will use the Matildas as something of an audit as to how her team is travelling less than a year out from the teams’ second consecutive World Cup appearance.
Whilst there is little on the line, Australian fans will be keen to see something better from a Matildas squad that has rarely put its foot to the floor in the last year. Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord will play key roles, yet it could once again be a worrying defence that captures most eyes.
Prediction
The general assumption leading into this match will be that the Matildas have the measure of South Africa and will win comfortably. I am not convinced of that fact.
Expect a much closer contest than some will anticipate and a score line of 2-2 come the final whistle.
Game information
Venue: Kingsmeadow, London
Kick-off: 10:30pm (AEDT)
TV: 10 Bold
Streaming: 10 Play, Paramount+
Betting: Matildas $1.07, Draw $9.00, South Africa $26 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Matildas
Mackenzie Arnold, Steph Catley, Emma Checker, Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Larissa Crummer, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Katrina Gorry, Charlotte Grant, Sam Kerr, Chloe Logarzo, Aivi Luik, Matilda McNamara, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin
South Africa
Andile Dlamini, Regirl Ngobeni, Dineo Magagula, Thato Letsoso, Fikile Magama, Tiisetso Makhubela, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Cynthia Makete, Bambanai MBane, Bongeka Gamede, Cimone Sauls, Refiloe Jane, Sibulele Holweni, Linda Motlhalo, Thalea, Smidt, Robyn, Moodaly, Amogelang Motau, Nthabiseng Majiya, Thubelihle Shamase, Gabriela, Salgado, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Melinda Kgadiete, Hildah Magaia
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Tonight, the Matildas were a little too polished for South Africa and the 4-1 win may well take a little pressure off coach Tony Gustavsson in the short term. Matildas…………………….4 South Africa…..…..……….1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the game and the earlier A-League match. There is plenty more to follow on the Roar tomorrow and be sure to join as as the Bathurst 1000, AFLW and A-League action continues. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..……….1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME I'm not sure what to make of that performance from the Matildas. They did the job, yet South Africa were quite poor at times and without a number of their stars. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..……….1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Kerr with a late chance before the save is made and the game ends with the ball in dispute in midfield. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..……….1
91'
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 The ball is hacked clear by South Africa and this one is almost done at Kingsmeadow. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..……….1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+2 Logarzo is fouled and the Matildas have a late chance with the free kick in a dangerous position. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..……….1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+1 Three minutes will be added. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..……….1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' Raso is down again and forced to leave the field. South Africa look to break again and Micah is secure at the back this time. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..……….1
87'
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88′ South Africa with the quick break, Micah way out of position and Magaia lobs her with the controlled finish. GOAL SOUTH AFRICA!!!!! Matildas…………………….4 South Africa…..…..……….1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' Final minutes now as the Matildas shift to the right. Now they move to the left. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
86' Corner won for the Australians and the ball is headed clear. Micah starts a new attack from the back. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
85' Cooney-Cross' ball forward is a little long and now Gielnik is fouled on the near side. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
84' Logarzo and Kerr take to the field. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
83' Eventually the turnover comes and Fowler takes the shot from 15 metres and on a tight angle.......it flashes wide. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
81' South Africa defending well in the final minutes and heading forward. Now they head backwards, yet hold on to the ball for their longest period thus far. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
80' A mad scramble in the area follows and the hand ball decision sees the South Africans escape the danger. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79' Gielnik brings down a long ball forward and with players waiting in the box, the South Africans do well to clear. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
78' A throw now for the Australians deep in attack. Matildas…………………....4 South Africa…..…..………0