Matildas vs Thailand: International football live scores, blog

The Matildas meet Thailand in their final friendly of 2022. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).

After a stunning 4-0 triumph over a very disappointing Swedish team on Saturday in Melbourne, the Matildas travel to Gosford to take on world number 41 Thailand, in another opportunity for players to push for selection at next year’s Women’s World Cup on home shores.

After a poor run of results early in the year and with coach Tony Gustavsson sticking to his mantra that there was indeed an overall plan in place in camp Matilda and that fortunes would turn in the long run, recent evidence suggests that he may well be proven correct. Wins against South Africa, Denmark and now the number two-ranked Swedes have the team buzzing and more and more fans started to believe in the man affectionately known at TG.

Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr have struck up a threatening combination in the front half, Mary Fowler looks to have grown further as a player as her experience levels rise and despite a back line devoid of Alanna Kennedy and Ellie Carpenter, younger players have stepped up to fill the void and now appear to be settling in as Matildas.

Charlotte Grant and Courtney Nevin are two such players, with veterans Steph Catley and Clare Polkinghorne solidifying the centre of defence superbly in recent matches. Cortnee Vine and Hayley Raso were dominant at times against Sweden, threatening on either side of the pitch and with two prolific goal scores awaiting in the box, Gustavsson looks to have finally found the right mix in terms of structure in attack.

Hopefully, the fans are out in force after a strong turnout in Melbourne saw more than 22,000 witness the shock win against Sweden; with conditions excellent for football, we should be in far another entertaining affair. Hopefully a few new faces start tonight, with Gustavsson using the opportunity to give more minutes to players in the frame for World Cup selection next year.

Prediction

Thailand will be no easybeats, after pushing the Australians in a 2-1 Matilda win at the 2022 Asian Cup. Power could be the key word this evening, with the physical presence of the Australians likely to cause Thailand some difficulty, yet their speed and agility with the ball will once again ask serious questions of the Australian defence.

Despite the Matildas’ recent excellent form, Thailand are a team on the rise and should give a good account of themselves tonight.

Matildas 3 Thailand 1

Game information

Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7:30pm (AEDT)
TV: 10 Bold
Streaming: 10Play, Paramount+
Betting: Australia $1.02 Draw $17 Thailand $101 – odds via PlayUp

Teams

Australia

Catley, Chidiac, Cooney-Cross, Crummer, Foord, Fowler, Gorry, Grant, Kellond-Knight, Kennedy, Kerr, Logarzo, Luik, McNamara, Micah, Nevin, Polkinghorne, Raso, Sayer, Van Egmond, Vine, Wheeler, Whyman, Williams.

Thailand

Boonsing, Sengyong, Sornpao, Thongmongkol, Phetwiset, Philawan, Saenkhun, Srangthaisong, Udchai, Yongkul,Boothduang, Intamee, Jinatuya, Pikul Khueanpet, Punyosuk, Rodthong, Waenngoen, Chetthabutr, Dangda, Irravadee, Jaruwanm Nild, Pengngam, Pram-Nak, Sornsai.