It was one-way traffic on the Gold Coast as Australia took on IR Iran – the Matildas running out 4-0 winners in their AFC Asian Cup Group A Match at Robina Stadium on Thursday night.
With five changes made to the side that defeated Philippines 1-0 in Perth on Sunday, Joe Montemurro and the Matildas descended on the Gold Coast as heavy favourites against IR Iran. The Iranians’ heavy 3-0 loss to South Korea on Monday seemed very much at the front of their minds, as Australia hit the gas in a relentless first half.
After a near chance from an Emily van Egmond free kick in the third minute, it was Amy Sayer’s glorious left boot that opened the account for the Matildas just five minutes later. Elevated to the starting lineup, Sayer got the stacked Queensland crowd on their feet with a breathtaking cross-cum-shot from wide on the right wing, looping it over the outstretched hand of Iran goalkeeper Maryam Yektaei.
Sam Kerr wanted in on the action too, and as the 10-minute mark struck, the skipper did everything but strike, rueing a missed chance after getting herself in a great position for a one-on-one with Yektaei – her deft chip floating over the crossbar.
Doubling the advantage took some patience, and after a thumping Caitlin Foord finish was called offside by referee Asaka Koizumi, it was left to Mary Fowler to net the second goal just before the half-hour mark, picking up the scraps from a Caitlin Foord cross that just eluded the head of Kerr.
With the weight of possession firmly with the Matildas, a third goal seemed an inevitability, and it was ‘lucky’ 13 for Alanna Kennedy, bringing up her baker’s dozen for the national side with a clinical finish from 12 yards after relentless pressure inside the box.
As halftime beckoned, Kerr remained unlucky, beating Yektaei at the far post – only for VAR to chalk off her 44th-minute finish. Her desperate lunging volley that followed minutes later also flew over the bar, leaving her scoreless on the night after a second half substitution – but her side, three goals to the good at the break, after a whopping 77% of the possession.
It looked like the second half would follow a similar trend to the first, but once again VAR proved the saviour for Iran, overruling an on-field decision of a penalty for a handball.
Time on the ball was a luxury afforded to the local girls throughout the first hour, however it wasn’t time but instead absolute strength and size that led to Australia’s fourth goal: Kennedy, on the end of a van Egmond corner to leap high and nod home her second for the evening.
Injuries, bumps and bruises became more commonplace in the final half hour: Iran midfielder Fatemeh Pasandideh left the field on a stretcher and Hayley Raso copped a ball to the face on two separate occasions, succumbing to the second blow to allow Michelle Heyman to play the final minutes. Iran substitute goalkeeper Raha Yazdani spent several minutes getting treatment – twice – before recovering for a great save very late in the match – but the story of the night was all about a ruthless Matildas side, with 30 shots to Iran’s one, 78% of the possession and finishing 4-0 winners in front of an adoring crowd of over 22,000 on the Gold Coast.
The Aussies’ win has them sitting second in Group A, level with leaders South Korea but with one less goal scored – leading to a hugely-anticipated clash between the two sides in Sydney on Sunday night.
MATCH REPORT
WHAT THEY SAID
Coming soon
