Summary
Australia ended 2018 on a high with a thumping 5-0 victory over Chile. After losing 3-2 to the same opponents just three days before it was a welcome return to form for Alen Stajcic’s side.
There was no sign of the carnage to come at half-time when the game was scoreless and to that point played largely on Chile’s terms. After the break Australia had the wind at their backs and that allowed them to maintain phases of attacking pressure on a Chilean defence unable to clear their lines.
The catalyst of the goal blitz was Caitlin Foord. She set up Sam Kerr’s opener and then helped herself to three of her own - her first international hat-trick. In between Emily Gielnik came off the bench to bag her fifth in a Matildas shirt.
The focussed intensity and industry of the second half revealed how potent the Matildas can be at their best with Kerr, Foord and Butt hassling and harrying Chile at every opportunity. By contrast in the first half it was disjointed and manic with passes going astray and moves breaking down.
Australia must now cross their fingers and hope their ranking holds in advance of the 2019 World Cup draw in December. On first-half form they would be no threat in France, if they play like they did in the second half they will be a force to be reckoned with.
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Australia 5-0 Chile
All over in Newcastle and it’s revenge for Australia with an emphatic second-half display securing a 5-0 victory over Chile.
92 min: Almost a consolation for Chile but a lovely flowing move through the centre of the park doesn’t contain a finish and Arnold protects her clean sheet.
90 min: There’s nearly time for six but Foord, then Gielnik, then Chidiac all in quick succession fail to beat the busy Endler.
GOAL! Australia 5-0 Chile (Foord 89)
Hat-trick for Caitlin Foord and it was a peach of a goal. Ibini’s intent carried the ball forward down the right, Van Egmond’s vision opened the field, then Carpenter delivered a perfect cross to the feet of Foord who picked her spot in a congested box.
86 min: Australia’s combinations have failed to click since that fourth goal, the substitutions just interrupting the fluency somewhat. There’s another couple from Stajcic with Kerr replaced by Heyman and Ibini taking the place of Kellond-Knight.
84 min: The game just starting to deteriorate a little with the final whistle approaching. Both sides have put in an excellent shift though, maintaining a lively tempo throughout.
82 min: First yellow card for Australia goes to Alanna Kennedy for a scything challenge in midfield that is rightly sanctioned.
79 min: Scrappy couple of minutes for Australia and Chile almost make them pay, twice. First a goal is disallowed for offside before Santibanez shoots wide when she should hit the target closing in on goal from the right.
77 min: 13 minutes remaining, the match sewn up, this ref still won’t let Chile pinch a yard with a throw-in. The Korean official has had an interesting night.
75 min: All Australia apart from when Chile decide to mount a rare attack, that is. The Matildas are lucky to escape when a break down the right is destined for a free header towards goal before Polkinghorne manages to flick it away with just millimetres to spare.
74 min: All Australia now, attacking at will, especially down the left where van Egmond and Kellond-Knight are linking up well.
73 min: Second change for Australia with Logarzo replaced by Chidiac. Tough night for Logarzo, especially in the first night.
72 min: Probably worth revisiting that Foord - the catalyst for Australia’s resurgence - is lucky to still be on the field and would probably be off had VAR been involved tonight.
71 min: That opening goal really changed the match, Australia unrecognisable from the first half, playing with freedom and confidence.
GOAL! Australia 4-0 Chile (Gielnik 69)
Goals! Goals! Goals! Like a made-for-Christmas highlights VHS the goals just keep coming. This time it’s Emily Gielnik getting on the scoresheet, striking low across the keeper with her left foot after sprinting through the Chilean defence.
GOAL! Australia 3-0 Chile (Foord 67)
Foord grabs her second of the night to cap an outstanding second-half display. IT’s a shocker from Endler though, the Chilean keeper with an ordinary first touch, allowing Foord to pick her pocket, swivel, and finish smartly from outside the box.
66 min: If Australia are to add to their tally they need to make smarter decisions in the final third. They’re advancing to the Chilean box with ease but either wasting crosses, overhitting throughballs, or lacking composure in possession to fashion clear opportunities.
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65 min: Chile look spent, responding to any counterattacking opportunities with pretty tame sorties forward. There are more goals out there for Australia if they want.
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62 min: First change of the night sees Gielnik replace Simon. Another healthy crowd in Newcastle are enjoying this one.
CROWD: Thank you to the 12,649 fans who came out to see us in Newcastle tonight! #GoMatildas #AUSvCHI pic.twitter.com/vRH3A9s9bf
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 13, 2018
60 min: Chile look shellshocked, and who can blame them? A three on three counter lacks intent and Australia clear. Who picks up the relieving ball? Foord of course. She loses possession once, regains, then feeds Van Egmond who shoots from range without troubling the keeper.
58 min: Foord has the freedom of Newcastle now, popping up everywhere to accept possession and probe at the Chilean defence. That wind I mentioned may well be more of a factor than appreciated early, it looks to be playing havoc with Chile’s clearances and putting a spring in Australia’s step.
57 min: Australia suddenly fizzing and McDonald Jones Stadium is jumping. The energy and industry of Foord and Butt which felt misplaced often in the first half is now creating space and being honoured. Foord almost has a second but she sends her one-on-one with Endler into the keeper.
GOAL! Australia 2-0 Chile (Foord 54)
Blimey! Like London buses etc...
Low ball across the six-yard box from the left falls to Foord who finishes unerringly from an acute angle. After an arm-wrestle of a match Australia are suddenly rampant.
GOAL! Australia 1-0 Chile (Kerr 53)
Who else? Sam Kerr with the opener for Australia. She has to thank Caitlin Foord for the assist though, accepting a perfectly weighted through-ball after Foord sprinted on to one of those familiar early direct transitional passes in the channel. Just beforehand Chile were enjoying a brief spell of possession, which in hindsight was what drew them out of shape and allowed Foord space.
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52 min: Half chance for Butt who times her run perfectly to beat the Chilean offside trap. The ball in from Kellond-Knight is superb but Butt’s first touch lets her down.
51 min: This has been a full-blooded friendly and the vigour of the first half has continued, both sides committing themselves to challenges and relishing physical contact.
48 min: Australia should score. Superb play between Foord and Butt but her ball across goal doesn’t find Van Egmond or Logarzo, the latter adding another disappointing moment to what is becoming a forgettable night for her.
46 min: Chile begin the second half playing into the wind, Australia now downbreeze. It counts almost immediately with a long free-kick from the Matildas soars over heads until it’s plucked out of the air by Endler but she can get little purchase on her clearing kick.
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The teams are out and ready for the second half. No changes from either side at the break.
Half-Time: Australia 0-0 Chile
That was an entertaining half of football despite the lack of goals. Join me back here in 10 minutes or so for more.
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45 min: What happened here? A Couple of corners in quick succession for Australia and before the second Araya hits the deck clutching her face. Replays show Foord was lucky to escape censure - that was a sneaky elbow jabbed back into the Chilean’s chops. From that corner the ball flicks off the near post melee and bounces across the six-yard box before running out of play.
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43 min: Scrappy couple of minutes favouring Australia. In broken play Australia’s commitment and hustle come to the fore but again there’s a lack of composure to convert field position into scoring opportunities.
41 min: Magic from Kerr down the left draws the first booking of the night and it is well deserved. Galaz was skinned twice by the Australian star and could easily have seen red for a rash lunge. From the resulting free-kick Van Egmond finds Kennedy who HITS THE POST with a glancing header. So close to the opening goal.
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38 min: Again Logarzo should do better but she dwells on the ball in the box with a shooting opportunity appearing in her favour after a quick throw and neat work from Foord. Logarzo’s shot is eventually blocked when a goal was beckoning.
37 min: Another Australian attack breaks down after a miscommunication between Logarzo and Simon. Not a vintage night so far for the Sydney FC star.
36 min: While it’s easy to criticise Australia for the volume of turnovers, Chile’s diligence, organisation and vision to close down passing lanes has been excellent.
35 min: Australia’s first corner of the night is taken by Kellond-Knight but the massive Endler dominates her box and punches clear.
34 min: Australia are once again sloppy in possession on a rare foray into Chilean territory. Logarzo this time not helping the overlapping Simon with an errant pass.
33 min: Best chance of the match so far goes to Zamora after tricking her way down the left but her near post drive is repelled by the feet of Arnold.
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32 min: After seven or eight minutes of pressure, watching an Australian play forward aimlessly and concede possession is tough to take. IT almost pays off eventually though with Chile failing to clear their lines effectively and the ball almost breaking for Butt bursting into the box.
30 min: Chile have well and truly regained control of this contest. Those slow passing phases have given way to more intricate one-touch stuff in advanced areas. Araya is at the heart of everything good but despite some neat close control Australia prevent any shooting opportunities.
28 min: Chile are keen to exploit the pace of Rojas down the right but they’re playing with a pretty stiff breeze at their backs and those long diagonals are proving too firm to chase.
26 min: Australia, by contrast, are unafraid to concede possession in search of the feet of Kellond-Knight or Kerr early. When it works it’s dynamic and incisive. When it doesn’t it looks clumsy and rushed. More of the latter so far tonight.
24 min: Chile have just slowed the game down a notch in the past couple of minutes, circulating possession and forcing Australia to chase shadows. Pretty much an in-game rondo training drill from the visitors, superb.
21 min: Brilliant play by Carpenter down the right, skinning the Chilean fullback and standing up a cross to the far post but Logarzo heads the ball over the bar. When Australia clear the congestion with the combinations in attacking midfield there is space to exploit.
19 min: Without possession Chile are industrious and for the first time tonight they force a turnover and break quickly with a direct pass. Rojas is the beneficiary in the inside-right channel and her trickery ends with a clearance being belted back towards the Matildas’ goal by Araya but Arnold is alert to the danger and tips the shot over.
17 min: Australia have engineered some promising three and four pass moves in wide areas but the killer pass has been found wanting. The relationship between Simon and Logarzo on the left in particular looks destined for great things if that final ball can be executed.
15 min: There’s a nice rhythm to this match early on, Chile’s patience and Australia’s energy dovetailing appealingly.
14 min: First decent opportunity for Australia and again it comes from a wide area. Foord prospers down the right, slides through Carpenter who crosses for Kerr but she misses the first battle and nobody can pick up the pieces at the far post.
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12 min: Australia growing into this contest now and a nice combination down the left ends with a dangerous ball into the box that Chile smuggle clear.
10 min: First crossing opportunity for Australia is blocked down the right but Foord recycles possession well to keep the Matildas on the attack. Chile are so compact in defence Australia are going to need to work the ball wide and stretch the field at every opportunity.
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8 min: That Matildas mania spreads to Butt who concedes her second foul of the opening stages. She makes amends quickly with an interception on the edge of her own box to snuff out the latest Chilean raid.
7 min: More neat football from Chile, passing and moving, working space down the left, missing just a decisive final pass to create a shooting opportunity. Australia have their hands full in Newcastle.
6 min: Australia are trying to play with speed in possession but it’s a little manic, especially with Kerr attempting to link-up in every phase.
4 min: First corner of the game goes to Chile and the near-post delivery earns an immediate second that Polkinghorne does well to clear in the air. The visitors have definitely settled the more composed.
2nd min: Chile show their class early with a 40-second spell of one-touch possession that almost fashions an opportunity against Australia’s high defensive line. They try to repeat the trick shortly afterwards but Australia’s press is too sharp and they force the turnover in a dangerous position but the counterattack breaks down at the feet of Tameka Butt on the edge of the box.
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Peeeeeeeeeeppppp!
Australia, in gold shirts, green shorts, and gold socks get us underway. Chile are in their change strip of white shirts, white shorts and blue socks tonight.
Oooh, an a cappella rendition of Advance Australia Fair. Thank you please, that was splendid.
7 - @TheMatildas' Emily Gielnik has created seven scoring chances in her last four games, including three in just eight minutes against Chile in their most recent encounter (Nov 10th). Strike.#GoMatildas #AUSvCHI pic.twitter.com/s7l9AkMwje
— OptaJason (@OptaJason) November 13, 2018
The teams are making their way out of the tunnel at McDonald Jones Stadium. Kick off just a couple of minutes away.
The referee tonight is Yujeong Kim from Korea, assisted by compatriot Misuk Park and Australian Laura Moya.
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In other domestic football news, the election contest for the FFA board intensified last night with a public forum in Melbourne. Next Monday’s AGM promises to be groundbreaking.
After losing to France and drawing with England on their recent European tour, the latest defeat to Chile means Australia are staring at a form slump. Extended, the Matildas have won just six of 16 this year suggesting that for all the ground gained in recent seasons their place at the top table of international football is far from assured.
Australia might have slipped to defeat in Penrith but the result did not diminish the growing adoration the women’s national team is receiving.
The Matildas’ growing army of fans – a new generation of golden girls, turned up in their thousands to see their heroine show off her famous skills. To prove it, many of them were kitted out in Australia shirts with Sam Kerr’s name emblazoned on the back.
Chile XI
One change for Chile with Maria José Rojas starting in place of María José Urrutia.
¡Alineación confirmada! 💪🏻
— Selección Chilena (@LaRoja) November 13, 2018
Las 11 elegidas por el profesor Letelier para la gran revancha ante @TheMatildas #VamosChile🇨🇱⚽️ pic.twitter.com/IumixV677m
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Australia XI
Three changes for Australia. Mackenzie Arnold replaces Lydia Williams in goal, Alanna Kennedy comes in for Laura Alleway in defence, and Gema Simon gets a chance on her home ground, in place of Lisa De Vanna.
STARTING XI | Here's how we line up tonight in Newcastle.
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 13, 2018
📺: 7:30PM on Fox Sports 505, SBS VICELAND and the My Football Live app.#GoMatildas #AUSvCHI pic.twitter.com/3QylX52WlC
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Why are these friendlies with Chile such a big deal? Mike Hytner explains.
The World Cup format comprises six groups of four teams, with each of the world’s top six-ranked teams to be placed in separate groups. Alen Stajcic’s Matildas are currently ranked sixth, but Saturday’s upset means the retention of that position is now out of their own hands.
Preamble
Good evening everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia vs Chile from McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Kick-off is 7.30pm local time (8.30am GMT).
After Chile’s unlikely victory in Penrith on the weekend tonight’s friendly takes on unexpected significance. Not only are the Matildas bidding to return to form and exact revenge, they are now in a battle to remain among the top seeds at next year’s World Cup.
Alen Stajcic described Saturday’s result as cruel on his side who controlled possession for large phases in what he termed “not a horrible performance”. Unfortunately individual errors proved costly but Stajcic is adamant he will continue to back his players to take risks and not deviate from his plan of attack.
Despite the result not going Australia’s way in western Sydney the attendance and atmosphere testified to the growing stature of the women’s football team. Another full house is expected in Newcastle, scene of last year’s record crowd of 16,829 when Brazil came to town.
If you would like to get in touch over the next few hours please feel free to tweet me @JPHowcroft or send an email to jonathan.howcroft.freelance@guardian.co.uk.
