Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Melbourne: Sam Kerr made it nine goals in her last five international matches, scoring twice as Australia underlined their 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup credentials, beating China PR 3-0 in their friendly match in Melbourne.
AFC Women’s Player of the Year contender Kerr continued her remarkable run of form to open the scoring in the 23rd minute, before adding a brilliant second from long range in the second-half after Tameka Butt’s deflected effort had doubled the Australian lead.
The Matildas stretched their international winning streak to six matches in a game they controlled from start to finish, and a performance that marks them as a team to avoid in the Jordan 2018 draw to be held on December 9.
Alen Stajcic’s side began the game strongly, controlling possession from the kickoff, but China defended well in the early stages to prevent any clear cut chances.
But Kerr, who gave China headaches throughout, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, when she rose bravely to get her head to Emily van Egmond’s cross and beat goalkeeper Zhao Lina from four metres.
With the Matildas passing game in full flight, they should have made it two when they carved open the Chinese defence in the 40th minute, however Butt opted to pass to Lisa De Vanna when she ought to have shot, and the visitors escaped.
Playing under new head coach Siggi Eyjólfsson for the first time, the Steel Roses struggled to create chances of their own, with an impressive run from Xu Yanlu, which failed to produce a shot on goal, among their brightest moments in the first half.
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