Australia's Matildas showcased their prowess on the pitch with a 2-0 victory over China in a riveting women's international football friendly on Monday. The friendly match, held at Sydney's Accor Stadium, marked the end of China's first trip abroad under their new manager, Ante Milicic.
The atmosphere was electric as a staggering 76,798 fans filled the stadium, waving green and gold scarves in support of the home team. The evening held special significance as it featured a heartfelt pre-game ceremony honoring 36-year-old Australian goalkeeper and longest-serving Matilda, Lydia Williams, who is set to retire from international football after the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
With the crowd roaring, the Matildas took an aggressive stance from the kickoff. They fired eight shots at goal in the first half, but China's goalkeeper Xu Huan held her ground, keeping the scoreline level at halftime. 🧤🌟
The breakthrough came shortly after the break. In the 48th minute, Clare Wheeler soared above the defense to head the ball into the net, igniting the crowd. Just eight minutes later, Hayley Raso delivered an unstoppable strike, sealing Australia's win. The home fans erupted in cheers as the Matildas celebrated their well-earned goals. 🎯🥅
\"This is what football is all about!\" exclaimed one excited fan in the stands. \"The energy here is unmatched!\" 🎉🏟️
China's star forward Wang Shuang reflected on the match at the post-game press conference. \"Our manager has been encouraging us to be brave, to make short passes, dribble, and take on opponents one-on-one,\" she said. \"You can see our young players trying to do that in both games. In terms of mentality, they've made significant improvements during this camp, and we showed something today.\" 💪🇨🇳
Milicic echoed Wang's sentiments, noting the team's progress despite limited training time. \"The team displayed an excellent defensive structure,\" he told reporters. \"When Wang Shuang and Pipi [Zhang Linyan] connect, we see some great central combinations. Now it's about that next phase: can we start creating better chances and hurting the opposition?\" 🧐⚙️
He emphasized the importance of continued development. \"With more time working together, I believe we'll see big improvements,\" Milicic added. \"If we can have good preparation and more international matches, especially against strong opposition like this, our players will grow. Playing in front of nearly 80,000 fans against a team heading to the Olympics is invaluable experience.\" 🌏🏆
\"With their mentality and discipline, there's a strong foundation,\" he continued. \"I'm very pleased with the progress we've made in two weeks, and we'll definitely continue to build from this.\" 🚀
Before Monday's match, China held Australia to a 1-1 draw in Adelaide on May 31. The two games have provided both teams with valuable insights as they prepare for future competitions. 🏅
As the night concluded, fans from both sides celebrated the spirit of the game. Football continues to unite and inspire, setting the stage for an exciting journey ahead for these talented teams. ⚽❤️
Reference(s):
Australia beat China in women's international football friendly
cgtn.com
