The Matildas kicked off the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in victorious fashion as Sam Kerr scraped a 1-0 win over the Phillipines.
It was Sam Kerr’s first half finish in her home city of Perth that kicked off Australia’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign on Sunday March 1. Despite taking all three points in Western Australia, the performance may have left plenty to be desired in the eyes of some fans in green and gold.
Dominating the stat sheet with 85% posession, the Phillipines valiant defensive effort snuffed out the Aussies when going forward, and toothlessness up front will leave Joe Montemurro pondering what could go wrong in the future.
Here are three key takeaways from Australia 1-0 Phillipines.
Matildas struggle for answers in attack
If one looked at the stat sheet without any knowledge of the game, it would be safe to assume that the Matildas took all three points and a romping goal difference away from this fixture. 85% possession, 15 shots to Phillipines’ zero, six of those on target, and six corners paint a picture of a very strong game on the scoreboard – which was very far from the case.
The Matildas find themselves in the all too familiar territory of dominating the tempo of the fixture, but still unable to breakdown a strong defensive block. Whilst Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr still link up well despite several years in hiatus, and Hayley Raso offers plenty of might down the channels, there is still a lack of attacking bite at large. The midfield could be a potential cause, as Montemurro opted for Emily van Egmond, Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler. Whilst talented, it is certainly more defensively sound than offensively threatening.
Australia have the talent to threaten a final third. Fullbacks Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter offer the final push up front, but something is yet to click for Montemurro’s side. Whether it be an overreliance on Kerr’s brilliance, generally forcing every other Matildas attacker into the wide channels rather than central areas, thus making them easier to defend, or just the first-game-Blues, the Matildas have plenty to work on heading into matchday two.
Phillipines have plenty to be proud of heading forward
Whilst it may be easy to lead a heavy investigation into Australia’s questionable attacking prowess, it is certainly important to give the Phillipines the credit they deserve. Defensively sound and water tight in their organisation, Mark Torcaso’s side were well-drilled at the back. A narrow margin against the tournament hosts will provide the squad with the energy they require to go forward and take the challenge to the rest of Group A.
Olivia McDaniel shone in Perth, halting the Matildas in their path several times during the showdown. The goalkeeper stood up in big moments and organised her defence with steady and strong communication at the back.
Clare Wheeler the unsurprising surprise package
A performance worth praising would be that of Clare Wheeler, stepping into the place of Kyra Cooney-Cross who was missing from the matchday squad. Wheeler’s free role in the midfield provided offensive aid going forward as she made intelligent decisions to drop wide and cause the overload, and drift back into central areas when called upon defensively. Wheeler’s curling cross forced the winning goal for the Matildas – yet another example of her intelligent movement to pick up the wide channel when there was space available.
For some, Wheeler’s showing may arrive as the surprise package of the tournament, but for many more it is something we have learned to expect. Playing an instrumental role in Everton’s turbulent last few years has transformed the Australian into one of their most important players. When injury crisis hit, Wheeler was dropping into defence, orchestrating play from fullback before moving back into midfield. An ever-so-reliable presence in Merseyside, Wheeler is becoming exactly that for the Matildas.
