As it was Matildas defeated China 2-0 to provide Lydia Williams with the ideal send-off
Claire Wheeler and Hayley Raso goals in the second half gave the Matildas a comfortable win over China in their last game before the Olympics on home soil. For Tony Gustavsson’s team, this triumph, which was seen by 76,798 people in Sydney on Monday night, was a vital confidence boost.
Though Hayley Raso did suffer a slight ankle injury in the game’s dying moments, there were no major injury concerns despite the fact that star player Sam Kerr was already out of the picture and that there were questions about scorer Caitlin Foord and midfield standout Katrina Gorry.
It’s crucial to remember that there were more trials before this one for Olympic selection. Prior to Monday’s game, Gustavsson had previously notified the selected players by sending his 18-man roster to the Australian Olympic Committee on Saturday.
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Lydia Williams, the legendary custodian for Matildas, announced her retirement from international football following the Olympics, so this victory also served as her farewell. Before the game, players, staff, family, and friends presented the 36-year-old with a guard of honour. Legendary Indigenous athlete Evonne Goolagong-Cawley also gave her a scarlet kangaroo hide cloak stitched with images of her family and hometown. After the first half, Williams was replaced to a standing ovation, and she watched the remainder of the match from the Matildas’ bench.
For the majority of the first half, Gustavsson’s team was unable to convert their opportunities despite their methodical approach. The long-range attempt by Alanna Kennedy went over the bar, while the low-skidding ball in China’s six-yard box was missed by Tamika Yallop. Zhu Yu, the goalie for China, turned away Raso’s two clear chances. China, being well-organized and disciplined, hardly gave Australia a clear opportunity to score. After a mistake in China’s half, Michelle Heyman manoeuvred past two defenders and went close, but her final touch went just short of the post.
Mackenzie Arnold took Williams’ place shortly after this close call and played the rest of the first half.
At the beginning of the second half, Gustavsson made a few calculated substitutions that had an instant effect. In the 48th minute, Wheeler, who had just entered the game, headed in a Steph Catley free kick, energising the home crowd. Six minutes later, fellow replacement Cortnee Vine brilliantly provided a through ball to Raso, slashing through the Chinese defence, heightening the excitement.
Real Madrid player Raso outmanoeuvred Zhu and scored from a tight angle after going out from goal to receive the ball.
In the defensive end, Arnold had little trouble stopping Chinese forward Zhang Linyan’s effort, guaranteeing the Matildas’ strong showing and well-deserved win.
