Summary
Two games, two wins, an assured debut in game one at centre back, and no significant injuries. Great home supports, and no doubt plenty of young fans going home delighted after meeting their heroes in both Sydney and Adelaide.
All in all - you’d say the two-match series against Chile was a success? A raft of late injuries gave Ante Milicic limited opportunities to experiment in game one, but he was able to shuffle his pack a little more in Adelaide.
Chile did strike the crossbar twice, but the clear cut chances were few and far between - one outstanding save from Williams aside, when Zamora really should have hit the net from a delightful set piece delivery from Lara.
Australia with the lion’s share of possession and a host of half-chances, but likewise nothing too much that was clear cut. Sam Kerr missed a golden chance to score from the spot in the shadow of half-time, but despite registering seven shots on target none were really clear cut opportunities, on a night that a valiant Chilean rearguard scrambled superbly.
Ante Milicic may not have been delighted with some of what he saw, but it’s hard to be too tough on the group at this stage. January is when it really matters, with five games looming in February to book a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics.
Thanks for your company - always a pleasure taking in the Matildas on home soil. Stay safe, east coast Australia!
And if you missed any of the action, here’s the match report:
“It’s good to have the group back together post World Cup. These were two good games to build up, but there’s still plenty to improve upon.”
She’s never not anything but straight as a die, Ellie Carpenter.
The fullback is happy to see more depth in the backline with Jenna McCormick and Emma Checker coming into the squad. It was an area of the pitch that came into question during the World Cup with the late injury to Laura Alleway. Good to see some fresh faces slotting in with aplomb.
Alanna Kennedy was happy with the play overall, but would have liked to see a little more tempo in the second match, especially during the buildup phase.
Great to see her in action, despite a busted hand from what she described as “an intense high-five” during a training ground warm up (!) Move over Trent Sainsbury’s sprinkler injury.
A more measured Sam Kerr post-match. She was disappointed by the performance after game one, noting the failure to secure a clean sheet, but she said she was pleased with the dual results and happy to blow out some cobwebs, pointing out that “the girls would be raring come January” for when they start their Olympic qualifying campaign.
China, Thailand and Chinese Taipei are the group opponents then for Australia to book their ticket to Japan 2020.
Updated
Full-time: Australia 1-0 Chile
There’s the whistle, and it is the Matildas who emerge victorious, in the end by the most slender of margins.
A first clean sheet in eight matches against a competitive, combative, and hard-working Chilean side. Plenty to admire, plenty to admonish, you’d imagine. But the home fans in Adelaide sound happy enough with their night’s entertainment.
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90 + 2 min: Kerr with the faintest of flicks on a cross from Catley - how close was she there to a second? In the end it didn’t trouble Campos, but it was another “close, but no cigar” moment.
Carpenter bombs on down the right - she’s got an engine for days, the teenager - and she looks for Kerr centrally, but Chile cut it out.
90 + 1 min: We have five minutes added on. Can the Matildas fashion a late buffer goal?
Raso looks to fly down the left, but the Chilean centre back Guerrero matches her well. They’ve been brilliant at the back, the club duo of Guerrero and Saez. Rayo Vallecano in Spain would be delighted to have these two, you’d imagine.
89 min: A break in play, but hopefully not a break for Hayley Raso, who washes some blood off her face, after a whack to the nose.
She’s made of tough stuff though, the former Roar flyer.
86 min: Luik tries to drive from outside the box, but she doesn’t get the purchase on it to worry Campos.
That’s their 15th shot at goal, with almost half of those on target, but it remains the slimmest of margins that separates this game on the scoreboard.
Updated
83 min: Logarzo arrives late in the box and almost gets on the end of a fine move from van Egmond! Again though this has been resolute stuff from Chile defensively, who scramble clear.
Van Egmond then tries a first time volley from the edge of the box, but it’s deflected wide for a corner.
81 min: Campos slumps to the ground, a possible knock from one of the Matildas players charging in to contest a cross. She’s done very well today in Endler’s absence, the Spanish-based ‘keeper - numerous saves and she’s come well for crosses on corners. Not to mention that penalty save from Kerr.
79 min: Chile with another long range attempt to catch Williams out. Is this a conscious tactic, or is it only that they’re finding the opportunities from outside the box? (Quite possibly, both).
At the other end, Kerr stretches but can’t quite connect. As is so often the case, this one is opening up a little. There could be another late goal, like we saw in Sydney.
76 min: Kennedy carries the ill effect of that challenge and she might have to make way shortly for Emma Checker.
And from nothing, almost an incredible equaliser! It’s a long-range drive from midfield that clips the head of Kerr, and loops bizarrely over Lydia Williams in the Matildas’ goal, but hits the crossbar! She possibly had it covered, the veteran custodian, but wow. Imagine if that would have been the equaliser.
74 min: Owie. A huge kick to the heel of Lara from Kennedy. No intent to hurt, but the Chilean got a foot in blindside as the defender looked to hoof that clear.
Luik comes on for Yallop, again another like-for-like change at the base of midfield.
71 min: Raso with a driven ball, but it’s well defended once again. Logarzo has to watch herself - she’s just come together with two players in the lead up, she is carrying that early yellow card, you’ll remember. Spiky stuff.
68 min: Melee! It’s a set piece for Australia that Kennedy almost lashes home off the ground, before the ball pinballs around and is eventually cleared.
They’re riding their luck at times, Chile - how did they escape then?
66 min: A quick throw from Kerr releases Foord, but she backtracks with no support centrally.
A yellow card for Lopez - what a battle she’s been having with Logarzo all game. Finally, they’re a booking each. Both combative characters you’d fancy.
63 min: Foord looks to fly down the left, but she’s called for offside belatedly. No Lisa de Vanna in the reduced squad, you’ll recall, so they’re a little light in the flying left wing position.
Amy Harrison makes way, and Emily van Egmond comes on. She looks to adopt a position ahead of Yallop, which is a subtle variation from previous Milicic arrangements.
60 min: Kennedy intervenes well and her clearance falls nicely to Kerr. She faces backwards and the Matildas build possession patiently. Harrison flashes a cross across the front of goal, but it evades her teammates.
Gielnik comes off for Raso - another like-for-like change at right forward.
57 min: Yallop with a heavy body check, and it affords Chile a rare attacking opportunity from the set piece.
Huge save! Zamora is found brilliantly from Lara, unmarked in the box, but she thumps it straight at Williams - and the Matildas’ custodian makes herself big and saves well!
And for all the Matildas’ possession, we could have been 1-1.
55 min: Toro in heavily on Gielnik, but it’s a ball-and-all sliding tackle. The recent Frauen Bundesliga recruit gets gingerly to her feet.
She recovers well enough to execute a fine one-two with Kerr, that almost finds her star striker free in the box, but again Chile scramble.
Updated
53 min: Kerr penalised for a physical challenge on one of the Chilean midfielders. For a game that’s nominally designated as a friendly you have to say there’s a little bit of niggle out there. It’s been a notably more aggressive approach from Chile from game one, and some of the Matildas players are responding too positively to the increased physicality.
51 min: Possible merit to that handball shout from Carpenter. No VAR in this match - which, look. You’d probably pass up a 50/50 pen shout rather than put up with the saga of it all - even as a Matildas fans, wouldn’t you?
49 min: A bright start to the second stanza, as first Foord, then Harrison go down in the box under some pressure, and with a goalmouth scramble looming they almost send an own-goal into their net, Chile!
And now Foord fires a shot from range, and Carpenter claims for a handball as her shot is blocked! This is a frenetic start to the second half - Chile all hands to the pump early on!
47 min: Crossbar! Kerr sent through one-on-one from a terrific curling ball from Catley. She jinks inside defender and fires past Campos - but it clatters back off the crossbar!
Do you reckon she’s keen to make amends for that penalty miss? Great stuff from Kerr, just a whisker away.
Second half!
45 min: One change at the break as Jenna McCormick comes on into the centre defence Polkinghorne. A like-for-like change, presumably to see how the new Matilda combines with both presumptive first-starters, Kennedy and Polkinghorne.
Half-time: Australia 1-0 Chile
Who needs Christine Endler! Chile’s backup goalie Natalia Campos, nearly the villain, but ending as the star, as she denies one of the world’s most lethal strikers from the spot.
A dramatic ending to the first forty five in Adelaide. A rueful smile from Kerr, who did miss a crucial penalty at the World Cup. And this one remains right in the balance for the second half.
Updated
45 + 2 min: Penalty saved! That’s brilliant from Campos! She picks Kerr’s shot, and throws herself right and flips it round the post and wide. A small shake of the head from Kerr - but that’s all about the ‘keeper. Well done, Campos - that’s a strong right hand to clear.
45 min: Penalty! And it is that combination of Foord and Kerr that strikes just before the break!
It’s a terrific turn and slide pass from Foord to send Kerr through one-on-one. Campos does brilliantly with the initial save, racing out to block, but Kerr keeps it within her feet, and the skipper is fouled at the second attempt.
What a blow for the visitors - can Australia make it two?
43 min: Foord with a sublime dummy to release Logarzo down the left, but she’s well marshalled wide.
She’s an underrated playmaker, Foord - given her historical versatility (playing fullback at a World Cup and taking care of Marta) and her prodigious energy and work-rate that has led to her playing in wide positions for a lot of her career.
40 min: The Matildas with a nudge over 60% possession, as Carpenter almost finds Foord from a deflected cross, but again the last line of defence scrambles clear.
They have to be careful, Chile. You can rely on spectacular last-ditch clearances here and there, but one will go awry, and like the opener in game one, when there’s a goal poacher like Sam Kerr lurking, you just can’t present too many opportunities like that.
38 min: Solid claim from the ‘keeper, and the danger in averted. A slight lull in play after a frenetic few minutes. Australia again with patient possession - it’s very much another cat-and-mouse contest like we saw in Sydney a few days ago.
36 min: A moment’s concern as Chile get bodies in the box centrally, but Carpenter defends well and sparks a tremendous counter-attack. A few “lusty” tackles from Chile trying to prevent the fast transition, but Kerr skips clear of one, and it ends with a deflected drive from deep by Yallop!
Corner, Matildas.
33 min: Calm at the back from Polkinghorne who looks to initiate something from deep.
Ante Milicic is at the touchline barking instructions - hard to know if he’s more impressed with this performance thus far. It has appeared a little static at times again.
31 min: A lovely drive from deep from Harrison - she sees a gap and pins the ears before firing off a shot that just flies to the righthand side of Campos’ goal.
30 min: Great work-rate from Carpenter, who has to recover as Chile looks to get in behind the advanced fullback, but she’s got both the pace and the fitness to do so, and snuff out a possible attack.
28 min: What can Chile come up with now? The game plan would have no doubt been to stay compact and then look to become more aggressive as the game went on - but with that early-ish goal, will they look to come out of their shells a little?
25 min: Almost two in as many minutes, as Ellie Carpenter leans back over a shot - but she blazes high! The home crowd loving this - it’s been a dominant few minutes from the Matildas.
Goal! Australia 1-0 Chile (Gielnik)
And there’s the opener! It’s a fine throughball from Sam Kerr who drops deep to receive the ball - she lays it out to Gielnik and she’s left with only a fine acute angle to aim at.
So unfortunate for the stand-in ‘keeper Campos - the shot takes a tiny deflection and flicks past her hands at the near post.
22 min: Kennedy looks to release Catley with a raking long ball forward, and the Chilean backline again scrambles to prevent the ball into Kerr. Foord with a good turn in the lead up but she can’t find her partner in crime.
18 min: A bit of tugging in back play as Chloe Logarzo is shown a yellow card for a coming together in back play with Lopez.
A curious one, it did appear the Chilean midfielder initiated that foul, but it was the Matilda who perhaps threw an arm to get free. A bit both ways, in truth.
Updated
16 min: Skipper for the night, Araya, fires an effort goalwards from long range, but she drags her shot well passed William’s righthand post. A good opportunity, and she throws her head back in disappointment.
15 min: Gielnik lashes an effort goalwards off a Catley cross, but she’s skied the difficult effort. Again, a warning sign - when she’s in a mood she’s a very tricky customer, the Bayern Munich forward. What a few seasons she’s had.
12 min: Chile pressing a bit higher, putting pressure on the Matildas’ back four and ‘keeper, which sees Williams encouraged into a trickier ball that Carpenter miscontrols.
It’s a good strategy, just a question of how long they can keep it up against a very fit Matildas outfit.
9 min: Araya with a cheeky chipped effort from 30m out. Worth a look with Williams off her line, but she doesn’t quite find the range. That’s the threat that Chile pose - they’re technically very proficient, and as we say at the World Cup, accomplished defenders, who will look to hit quickly on the counter-attack.
8 min: Strong work from Yallop who rides a tackle to release Carpenter. The right back feeds Gielnik who fires in a tricky cross that is deflected closer past her own sticks than the Chilean defender Saez would have liked!
Corner Australia, but it’s well defended.
6 min: Catley looks for Kerr with a right-footed cross from the left, but the last line of defence just prevents it from finding the goalscoring machine. A warning sign for Chile, if they needed one, as to her danger.
Updated
4 min: It’s Tameka Yallop screening the back four at the base of midfield - a new role for the hugely gifted and versatile midfielder who normally plays a little further forward. No Elise Kellond-Knight in this squad, and Aivi Luik rested from the game a few days ago.
3 min: Carpenter again the attacking threat down the right, and she earns a corner. No! Our NZ whistleblower says no, to the surprise of the Matildas. It did appear Chile got a last touch.
A first touch for Lydia Williams in goal, as Chile look to go long, but the veteran ‘keeper sweeps, and sweeps well.
Kick-off!
1 min: It’s another flying start from the Matildas, and no surprise they look for the flying Ellie Carpenter early on, but the Chilean defence anticipates the danger and cuts out her cross.
Our players are out the tunnel, on the pitch and we’re ready for anthems. A decent Chilean contingent in the stadium tonight - let’s hope they find something to cheer about tonight amid a difficult political climate back home.
A lovely rendition of Advance Australia Fair, and the Matildas peel off much needed jackets amid a brisk atmosphere in Adelaide.
Updated
Interesting also will be to see how Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr combine again up front tonight. The almost telepathic duo had their radar a little awry in Sydney. It didn’t stop the skipper still banging a brace, but it was one of the areas Ante Milicic would have liked no doubt to have worked on between games.
Australia, for all their obvious attacking talent were looking a little predictable at times, can Foord be the X-factor tonight?
A decent crowd trickling in at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide - a first time in over a dozen years the people of South Australia have had a chance to watch the Matildas in person. What a bumper year football in SA is already having, what with a heroic FFA Cup run for Adelaide United.
A big game for Amy Harrison - the talented youngster who burst through at Sydney FC only to undergo a horrific run of injuries, including the odd ACL. She’s still just 23 (which is almost veteran status compared to some of her teammates) but you really sense a huge maturation in her game in recent years, especially since her NWSL debut season.
Straight to team news:
Australia:
Four changes to the lineup a few days ago - Alanna Kennedy returns in the centre of defence, Amy Harrison makes a rare start in midfield, Tameka Yallop comes in for Emily van Egmond and Emily Gielnik gets the nod ahead of Hayley Raso.
STARTING XI | Here's how we line up against @LaRoja in Adelaide tonight!
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 12, 2019
📺: LIVE on @FOXFOOTBALL, @ABCTV, @kayosports and the My Football Live app #WeAreMatildas #AUSvCHI pic.twitter.com/bwznvWsNZS
Williams (GK), Carpenter, Kennedy, Polkinghorne, Catley; Harrison, Yallop, Logarzo; Gielnik, Kerr (c), Foord
Katrina Gorry and Karly Roestbakken also return to a bench that’s a little deeper than it was in Sydney.
Chile:
The big news is no Christiane Endler, Chile’s talis(wo)manic skipper in goals; she’s had to dash back to France for a crucial match for her domestic club Paris Saint Germain. Eight-cap understudy Natalia Campos comes in for her - a big night for her.
Hi all! A cordial greeting to you and yours, from wherever you’re following our coverage tonight. A big shoutout to our east coast followers - our thoughts are with you during this unprecedented bushfire threat, stay safe and be considerate to each other in your communities.
Tonight is however about the Matildas, and we’re in Adelaide to see if sam Kerr and pals can repeat the treat against Chile.
Preamble
It’s a last competitive match of 2019 for one of Australia’s most beloved teams. After a huge year, on and off the field, the Alen Stajcic saga and a mixed performance under huge expectations at the 2019 World Cup threatened to engulf the Matildas, but as they have so often, the team themselves have quietly pulled through - emerging with a landmark pay agreement to continue to fly the flag for women’s aspiration around the world.
It’s a second clash in three days against Chile - a team that showed in Sydney that they’re no slouches, despite South America’s notorious underfunding of the women’s game, and a misrepresentative world ranking. Will Ante Milicic ring the changes? Or will he try and embed new processes ahead of next year’s Tokyo Olympics? We’ll find out shortly.
