The CommBank Matildas overcame a determined Czechia 4-0 in Gosford, after a brace to Hayley Raso and goals to Sam Kerr and Clare Polkinghorne underscored an ultimately convincing victory.
To put four goals past a team that held both England and the United States to 0-0 draws in 2022 is something that will give the CommBank Matildas an enormous amount of confidence looking forward to the World Cup in July.
It was a special occasion for central defender Polkinghorne. She captained the side in her 152nd appearance, the most ever for an Australian player.
The match also marked a debut for Clare Hunt, a player who will no doubt be looking to emulate her centre-back partner’s career, after she was subbed on at half-time.
Head coach Tony Gustavsson lined his team up in a 4-4-2, continuing from his side’s wins against Sweden and Thailand in the last international window.
Mary Fowler came into the team in place of Caitlin Foord, starting alongside Sam Kerr in the central striker role. Mackenzie Arnold started in goals for the first time in over twelve months.
The CommBank Matildas spent much of the first half probing for an opening against a side that they knew would present a disciplined defensive front. Kyra Cooney-Cross looked threatening in midfield, and Hayley Raso and Steph Catley provided a formidable combination on the left.
The first major opportunity of the game came in the 6th minute. Cortnee Vine found herself free on the right-hand side. Instead of crossing the first time, Vine opted to cut it back to Kyra Cooney-Cross on the edge of the area, who shot over.
In the 25th minute, a Sam Kerr run released Hayley Raso, who just wasn’t able to find an open Cortnee Vine at the back post.
While Australia did have the better of the first half, Czechia had a dangerous spell around the 30th minute. After a free kick, the ball fell for Western Sydney Wanderer Jitka Chlastáková, who was unable to convert 1v1 with Arnold. Michaela Khyrová’s shot soon after was saved by Arnold.
The CommBank Matildas continued to look dangerous from set pieces but couldn’t find a way through the red and blue wall in front of them.
Tony Gustavsson’s half-time team talk, however, clearly had a positive impact. With a change at centre-back – Clare Hunt’s debut – the team emerged from the change room with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose in the second stanza.
In particular, the team looked to play more direct and fast-paced than they had in the first 45 minutes.
The rewards were almost instant. Hayley Raso, a threat all game, latched onto a Sam Kerr through ball to open the scoring. She was helped by a deflection from Anna Dlaskova, but it couldn’t take the shine off the well taken finish.
She doubled the CommBank Matildas lead soon after. A typically well placed Steph Catley corner found debutant Clare Hunt at the back post. She headed it back across the face of goal to an unmarked Raso, who gratefully accepted the invitation to head her second goal.
The 68th minute saw a triple substitution – Larissa Crummer, Emily van Egmond and Alex Chidiac entered the field in place of Cortnee Vine, Mary Fowler and Katrina Gorry.
The substitutions almost immediately paid dividends. Alex Chidiac was able to get a shot away after great work from Charli Grant to find a cross into the box. The resulting deflection found the path of Sam Kerr, and at that point there was only going to be one result – the CommBank Matildas third of the night.
The final goal came off the foot of tonight’s captain. An Alex Chidiac corner found Hayley Raso, who was able to steer the ball into Polkinghorne’s path. The celebrations from her teammates said it all – a popular goal from a legend of the game.
The CommBank Matildas will be in action on Sunday against Spain, who defeated Jamaica 3-0 earlier today.
