The final time the Matildas performed the Philippines, they beat them 8-0.Â
This rematch within the opening group recreation of the AFC Ladies’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 noticed the identical workforce rise victorious, though in far much less fashion.Â
This is how the web reacted to the Matildas’ 1-0 win.
Information broke on Sunday morning that back-up keeper Jada Whyman was out of the event with a knee damage, becoming a member of Teagan Micah within the stricken goalkeeper ranks.
However even that could not dampen the rising, fizzing pleasure that was constructing within the west, able to spill throughout the nation.
The 2023 World Cup, and the whirlwind of euphoria that fashioned with the Matildas at its centre, is not only a reminiscence held within the thoughts; the sense of collective craving, of a continent united, of the shared agony and ecstasy, that have left an imprint bodily, and you may virtually really feel now the way it felt then.
Would this tilt on residence soil at a extra modest regional worldwide event whip up these winds once more?
The beginning XI had a number of wrinkles of observe; fourth-choice keeper Chloe Lincoln began over Mackenzie Arnold in aim, and Mary Fowler began on the bench, a bench that Kyra Cooney-Cross wasn’t match sufficient even to sit down on.
However Kerr, Carpenter, Foord, Raso, Catley, Gorry and van Egmond all began, bringing with them a cartload of massive event expertise, to not point out expertise.
American rapper and KPop Demon Hunters star Audrey Nuna carried out alongside Aussie singer Zipporah to open the event, a sentence solely parts of which shall be legible to readers over 30.
The anthems had been sung, the gamers took their positions, the Asian Cup was underway.
Australia had about 90 per cent of the ball within the opening 5 minutes, and the primary threatening second got here from a darting Foord run down the left; she is a sabre when she will flip and tackle an remoted defender.
There was a rousing cheer from the Perth crowd when Chloe Lincoln got here out to gather an extended free kick into her penalty space, a primary, assured intervention.
Then Sam Kerr, because it simply needed to be, scored the opener. A deep cross from Wheeler on the correct was nodded throughout by Foord, after which nodded residence by Kerr. A easy aim the place the Matildas preyed on smaller opponents with brawnier brawn and sharper reactions.
The Philippines had been ultra-defensive, barely stepping foot within the Australia defensive half, and simply earlier than the half-hour mark, a beautiful pitching wedge move from Gorry discovered Raso scurrying in behind. She introduced the ball down and jabbed it past the Philippines keeper.
But it surely was dominated offside by VAR. A technological reprieve for the guests, however the Australian assault resumed.
The Filipinos managed to outlive, and the groups walked off at half time with Australia main by Kerr’s 14th minute aim. The Philippines had conceded 88 per cent possession within the first 45 minutes, and their solely two attacking incursions got here from lengthy free kicks clipped into the Australian half by their goalkeeper. Nonetheless, they had been holding issues shut, if solely on the scoreboard.
The second half commenced, and Carpenter and Raso instantly drove down the correct and into the Philippines field, however Raso’s cross was blocked with Sam Kerr lurking for a tap-in.
It felt like this is able to be an actual check of Australia’s persistence and persistence, with as a lot possession as they wished and an opponent hell-bent on defending — the scenario would have been extraordinarily irritating had they not scored the early aim.
The hosts had been operating out of concepts, and a little bit of puff, and Joe Montemurro readied Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy to enter the fray.
On the 73rd minute, the possession break up nonetheless learn 85 per cent to Australia, together with 521 passes to 93, however no actual probabilities to talk of, loads of busy work largely thwarted.
Sam Kerr had a half-chance on the run, which she scuffed broad. Fowler was darting into good areas, and twisting and turning defenders when she had the ball, however solely into scenario the place she discovered herself suffocated.
Hayley Raso got here off for Amy Sayer. Sayer was concerned immediately, organising Steph Catley for a superb capturing likelihood after some neat interaction, however Catley blazed over.
Australia saved force-feeding Fowler the ball, both excessive as she ran in behind, or out on the correct trying to create, however no probabilities had been forthcoming.
The match ended 1-0, a win of their opening group recreation, however one which was tinged with the bitter style of frustration.Â
There shall be different groups on this event that may defend as properly, and can assault with way more risk, than the Philippines, and the Matildas will want extra fluency and invention in assault in the event that they’re to beat them. Fowler beginning will assist with that.Â
A win is a win, this battle was received, however the warfare awaits.
