The Matildas awoke from a first-half slumber to thrash Czechia 4-0 in Gosford on Thursday evening.
The Europeans have been the higher of the groups within the opening 45 minutes, with the Matildas beginning their Cup of Nations marketing campaign on a sleepy and at occasions disorganised method on the Central Coast.
However, maybe with their ears nonetheless ringing from a probable half-time spray from coach Tony Gustavsson, the Matildas confirmed better intent and power within the second half, and have been rewarded with 4 objectives in a constructive signal forward of this yr’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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Two objectives cane from Manchester City winger Hayley Raso, whereas star striker Sam Kerr and record-breaking defender Clare Polkinghorne additionally bought on the scoresheet.
Polkinghorne’s 84th-minute aim was a becoming solution to finish the sport, with the veteran defender captaining the facet on the evening she grabbed sole possession of the report for many Matildas appearances with 152.
The 34-year-old Queenslander was additionally rock strong in defence in opposition to a Czechia facet that troubled the Matildas within the first-half earlier than being outclassed by the hosts for the rest of the competition,
Clare Polkinghorne (4) celebrates her aim with teammates in Gosford. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Kerr had claims for a penalty waved away within the 18th minute when she was outmuscled by veteran Czechia defender Petra Bertholdová.
The Matildas then wasted a possible likelihood seven minutes later with a poorly positioned go from Raso.
Czechia then took management, and had three probabilities within the house of six minutes.
On every event, Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was compelled into saves.
The West Ham custodian tipped a long-distance effort from defender Anna Dlaskova across the submit within the twenty sixth minute.
Arnold was then grateful for a poor end from Jitka Chlastákova within the twenty ninth minute.
Chlastákova, who performs for the Western Sydney Wanderers within the A-League ladies’s competitors, ought to have scored however directed her weak shot straight into the grateful arms of Arnold.
Sloppy play from the Matildas then led to an opportunity for Michaela Khyrova within the thirty second minute, however Arnold once more got here to Australia’s rescue with good save at her close to submit.
That proved to be the top of Czechia’s highlights, with Raso giving the Matildas the lead three minutes after half-time by way of a shot that deflected off Dlaskova and hit the within of the submit earlier than rolling into the again of the web.
Raso doubled Australia’s lead within the 56th minute with a close-range header.
Kerr’s 62nd aim made it 3-0 within the 71st minute, with Polkinghorne offering the icing on the cake 13 minutes later.
In Thursday’s early Cup of Nations match, Spain beat Jamaica 3-0.
