The Matildas responded to an “amazing” speech from Sam Kerr to awake from a first-half slumber and thrash Czechia 4-0 in Gosford on Thursday night time.
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, following a stirring half-time tackle from star Chelsea striker Kerr, the Matildas confirmed higher intent and power within the second half, and have been rewarded with 4 targets in a constructive signal forward of this yr’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Two targets got here from Manchester City winger Hayley Raso, whereas Kerr and record-breaking defender Clare Polkinghorne additionally received on the scoresheet.
Polkinghorne’s 84th-minute objective was a becoming strategy to finish the sport, with the veteran defender captaining the aspect on the night time she grabbed sole possession of the file for many Matildas appearances with 152.
The 34-year-old Queenslander was additionally rock stable in defence towards a Czechia aspect that troubled the Matildas within the first-half earlier than being outclassed by the hosts for the rest of the competition,
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was happy along with his aspect’s second-half response, and paid credit score to Kerr for lifting her teammates.
“Her half-time talk was amazing,” Gustavsson instructed Network 10.
“Her leadership is phenomenal. She’s been around in important games and can replicate what it can be like.
“Be patient, believe, be positive, energised but we need to play faster, we need to better … it’s that balance of support and demand. It’s great leadership.”
Earlier, 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 probability seven minutes later with a poorly positioned move from Raso.
Czechia then took management, and had three possibilities 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 publish 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 publish.
That proved to be the top of Czechia’s highlights, with Raso giving the Matildas the lead three minutes after half-time through a shot that deflected off Dlaskova and hit the within of the publish earlier than rolling into the again of the online.
Raso doubled Australia’s lead within the 56th minute with a close-range header.
Kerr’s 62nd objective 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.
Originally printed as Matildas overcome gradual begin to beat Czechia in Cup of Nations thrashing
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
