A Sam Kerr goal proved the difference as the Matildas were forced to settle for a narrow 1-0 win over the Philippines in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup opener in Perth on Sunday night.
Despite dominating possession and territory, the Australians were either wasteful or lacked a cutting edge in attack against a Philippines team that sat deep in an attempt to frustrate the tournament hosts.
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MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Philippines in the Women’s Asian Cup stats
And unlike the teams’ previous meeting, a 8-0 win for Australia in an Olympic Games qualifier in October 2023, the spoiling tactics worked for most of the contest at Optus Stadium.
However, the Matildas still managed to grab three points thanks to Perth product Kerr’s 70th goal for Australia in the 14th minute.
Midfielder Clare Wheeler started the move with a dangerous cross to the far post, where attacker Caitlin Foord was waiting to nod the ball into the path of captain Kerr, who made no mistake with an easy header.
The Matildas should have doubled their lead just four minutes later but veteran midfielder Emily van Egmond, who was making her 166th appearance for the national team, inexplicably headed over the crossbar from close range after being found by a pinpoint cross from winger Hayley Raso.
The Matildas continued to attack and had the ball in the back of the net in the 29th minute through Raso, but following VAR intervention, she was correctly ruled offside.
Raso continued to be an attacking threat for the Australians, earning a free-kick five minutes before half-time in a dangerous position just outside the Philippines penalty area.
Matildas vice-captain Steph Catley struck the free-kick sweetly but it was parried away for a corner by the Philippines’ USA-born goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
Australia continued to dominate the contest after half-time but failed to add to its lead despite further chances falling for Wheeler and Catley.
Star attacking weapon Mary Fowler, who only recently returned for her English club team Manchester City following a knee reconstruction, entered the contest in the 67th minute after being left out of Australia’s starting team.
“I just felt that she hasn’t been with us long in terms of understanding the situation tactically and we felt (we needed) a bit more time to integrate her a little bit better,” said Matildas coach Joe Montemurro, whose side meets Iran on the Gold Coast on Thursday night.
“She’s not being modified. It was purely a technical decision.”
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Playing for keeps
The Matildas’ goal-keeping crisis opened the door for Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln to start between the posts.
Two of the three keepers originally selected in the Matildas squad – Teagan Micah and Jada Whyman – were forced to withdraw from the tournament with respective concussion and knee problems, while Mackenzie Arnold was named on the bench after a mystery injury prevented her from training for most of the week.
“You have unexpected situations that happen in all tournaments,” Montemurro said pre-match.
“It was an unfortunate situation and we’re prepared to deal with it. It’s an opportunity now for someone else to step up.”
That “someone” was 21-year-old Lincoln, who made her fourth Matildas appearance after being called into the squad as the replacement for Micah.
Whyman didn’t officially withdraw from the squad until Sunday, with her spot in the 26-player squad going to USA-based former Perth Glory keeper Morgan Aquino.
Australia XI: Chloe Lincoln (GK), Wini Heatley, Clare Hunt, Clare Wheeler, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Emily van Egmond, Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry, Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter