Australia Matildas beat China 5-1
That’s all here from Geelong – with the Matildas firing five past China for the first time. They were a class above, and will go into the Asian Cup as deserved favourites. Sam Kerr will make headlines again as the first Matildas to score in six consecutive internationals, with a double (including a characteristic brace), plus an assist, but it was Kyah Simon who set the standard early with a wonderful long-range bomb and some excellent all-round attacking play.
The crowd were good-natured given the storm delay and other disruptions, and their enthusiasm for women’s football again underlines just what an impact this Matildas side has had on the fortunes of women’s sport more broadly. That’s seven in a row now for Australia’s beloved national team.
That’s all from me, but thanks for joining me for the Matildas’ last, triumphant outing for 2017!
Updated
H2 92:00 Australia 5-1 China
Four minutes of stoppage time is all that’s left in this one, not that the intensity has let up. Crummer, for example, has been out of the starting line-up for a while, and is desperate to push her way back into the side.
Loving Raso’s pace – and a perfectly-timed sliding tackle which denies China on the left-wing. Meanwhile it’s a stunning strike from Zhang Rui from long, long range, and Campbell is forced to crash into the near post to keep it out. Offside robs China of the chance to hit the rebound.
Updated
H2 87:50 Australia 5-1 China
Zhang Rui takes a late free-kick for China, but no less than three shots and blocked and repelled before de Vanna winds up with the free from the break in the middle. Campbell, just on, isn’t needed.
Kellond-Knight with the long cross, which finds Crummer. Her header is deflected, and Harrison’s corner requires Fei Fei to punch the ball played into the sun.
Updated
H2 84:36 Australia 5-1 China
Raso with a nice run from defence. Simon can’t find Crummer, but she does earn her side a corner, which is taken by Harrison. Can Heyman get on the end of it? It’s too deep – and the foul goes against Kennedy, who has plenty to say.
Lydia Williams is subbed off to a rousing reception, with Eliza Campbell earning her second international appearance. Great to see her get a run – the Matildas have depth the envy of any international side.
H2 82:06 Australia 5-1 China
Boo, Sam Kerr has to make way for Larissa Crummer – and looks disappointed, too. Asian player of the year, surely. Caitlin Foord (last year’s winner) is off too, for none other than Lisa de Vanna.
H2 79:30 Australia 5-1 China
The Matildas look more dangerous since Heyman’s arrival – and this time Heyman’s flick-on near puts Kerr in again.
Carpenter tries her own version of Kerr’s long-bomb from last week and Simon’s from today. Worth a shot, even with Fei Fei on her line. It sails over – just.
Looks like I’m not the only one who has taken notice of Heyman since she came on.
The GF glued to the TV now that @Mheyman23 is on 👀👀👀 Should I be jealous?! #AUSvCHN pic.twitter.com/z416O69W1d
— Danielle Warby (@DanielleWarby) November 26, 2017
Updated
H2 77:50 Australia 5-1 China
Sam Kerr is ominously patrolling the box, this time heading her own way towards Fei Fei, but running out of room. She’s doing whatever she can to get into the action and avoid the substitution. Hat-trick a real possibility.
Li Danyang (who unfortunately will go down as having conceded an own goal) makes way for Li Donga. China up to 60% possession for the last five minutes.
Updated
H2 74:40 Australia 5-1 China
Logarzo earns a rest, and makes her way for Heyman, who will look to make her mark after the ankle injury that has ruined her last ten months, give or take. Great to see her back out there - as she on cue draws an error, and is ready for the Kerr throw-in. Unfortunately for her, she commits a foul in her eagerness to score.
Updated
H2 72:38 Australia 5-1 China
That was close. The substitute Han Peng with a near-perfect shot at the near post, but Williams somehow finds a touch and it bounces out for a corner.
Meanwhile Yanlu is bowled over by Harrison – and earns a free-kick, which is taken by Zhang Rui, nope they fooled me, it’s Han Peng with the left and Williams isn’t troubled (is she ever?)
GOAL! Australia 5-1 China
H2 69:00 Australia 5-1 China
Logarzo gets her first goal for her country (after four years and ninteen internationals), and guess who set it up? Sam Kerr! Finally Amy Harrison’s arrival brings some fluency in the lead-up play, and Kerr’s quick cross in finds Logarzo with no marking to speak of. She just taps it in as in a drill. It’s getting a little ugly for Fei Fei and her defenders.
Updated
H2 66:00 Australia 4-1 China
Give me a moment, SBS World News has caught me off guard!
All is good - I’m back. Great looking bench for the Australians - with Lisa de Vanna and Michelle Heyman looking very casually on.
Updated
H2 63:31 Australia 4-1 China
What a shot from the sub Tang Jiali - at the near post. Williams is caught off guard as it dips and near-finds the net. Still, she has no trouble repelling the strike.
Hayley Raso comes off for Gorry, and van Egmond makes way for Amy Harrison.
Updated
H2 61:40 Australia 4-1 China
Another message from the ground, which simply says “freak”. She really is. No backflip; you sense she’s going for a third, Kerr.
Our commentators say she may have the heading skill of Tim Cahill, but at this point, I’ll just refer back to Richard Hinds - she’s the Sam Kerr of women’s football, people!
Sam Kerr is the Sam Kerr of women's football. What a superstar.#Matildas#AUSvCHN
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) November 22, 2017
Updated
GOAL! Australia 4-1 China
H2 58:09 Australia 4-1 China
This time it’s a foul against China, which takes the tally to five all. It’s taken by van Egmond and Sam Kerr outleaps her opponents and finds the back of the net again! Double for Kerr! Six goals in eight days for the star, who loops it over Fei Fei’s head (she came out to tkae it early with the first, but the timing is all wrong). You wouldn’t want to take Kerr on in the air, would you?
Updated
H2 56:09 Australia 3-1 China
Williams makes yet another save, this time though she crashes into Alleway and spills the ball over for a corner. Zhang Rui will take the corner. This time Williams has a high, floater to take care of, and does so with little threat.
H2 54:38 Australia 3-1 China
Great defending by China to push Foord over the sideline after a turnover in the middle. Sounds harsh for a team up 3-1, but the Matildas certainly haven’t been at their best today. Then again, they set the bar pretty high, this side.
H2 52:45 Australia 3-1 China
Lydia Williams saves her defenders yet again; Kellond-Knight ruins some excellent work up forward by turning the ball over cheaply, and Shanshan finds Guixin with a bullet of a cross. She has time and space, but can’t find the back of the net. Williams gives her defenders another dressing down.
Updated
H2 50:20 Australia 3-1 China
Some friendly fire for China’s No32 and 33, a nasty-looking head clash for captain Ma Jun and Li Danyang who are now being assessed for concussion. Li Danyang looks to be OK, while Jun takes to the sideline for some treatment and China are left to defend with ten.
Updated
H2 49:10 Australia 3-1 China
China off and running with the first strike at goal from Ren Guixin (the first goalscorer of the day) from long-range. Nine shots at goal for four goals this game, both sides going at a pretty high strike rate!
Simon really has played a sublime game so far, and it shows with her midfield possession. Kennedy, meanwhile, shanks a pass and Yanlu had plenty of space on the left with Carpenter out of position.
Oof! It’s a blaze from Guixin, just over the bar, and Williams is filthy with Carpenter and Alleway for another defensive lapse. Carpenter will want to watch her positioning with her spot suddenly under threat given the strength of talent in this line-up.
Updated
H2 45:10 Australia 3-1 China
Mercifully, we are back on already, but what is SBS Viceland? I’m told the game will continue on there from 6:30 given the delay. I better switch over to Foxtel in that case!
Half-time Australia 3-1 China
This time it’s Zhang Rui with the free-kick on the stroke of half-time, it’s a nice, diving header from Ma Jun who looked unmarked (it was Kerr who she slipped in front of), and Williams’ save is an excellent one. Kerr clears for a corner, but there’s no score, and we are off... again.
Updated
H1 46:30 Australia 3-1 China
Foul earned by Yueyun Lu, taken by Xu Yanlu who fires a cross down the middle but it’s too strong, and Williams mops up cleanly. Not sure if this is fair, but some of her clearances have put her teammates under pressure - perhaps because the Chinese have pushed up well.
Kerr offside, again. Two minutes of stoppage time (not sure that accurately accounts for the disappearance of Fei Fei into the rooms!)
Kerr almost finds the net again after she breaks free from her direct opponent, but the shot is across the face. Not sure how she was allowed onside.
Updated
H1 43:10 Australia 3-1 China
Kerr is felled but play goes on and Logarzo claims hers wasn’t the last touch – the claim is ignored by our referees. It’s a goal kick, and China put together their most dangerous passage for some time, ending with a cross in from Xue Jiao and a shot from Shanshan, but the connection is poor. Let off for Australia.
H1 41:10 Australia 3-1 China
Kick-off restarts play, since our last piece of action was Kerr’s goal. Speaking of, Fei Fei strays dangerously out of the box to repel another Kerr run. Apparently Stajcic has pointed out that the three goals haven’t been built from the back to the top – that’s accurate for mine, there’s little to no fluency in the Matildas’ forays forward presently, despite the impressive scoreline and occasional touch of brilliance. Credit to China, they took it to the Matildas early on with the surprise goal.
Xu Yanlu ramps up the aggression and concedes a foul. Foord is unimpressed.
Updated
More ground updates
My friend’s daughters are throwing chips to seagulls from level 3 in the Reg Hickey stand, ground staff are safely dressed in plastic ponchos despite the absence of rain and the beer is flowing. Is there a more prototypical Australian sport scene?
Players are warming up for five minutes for five minutes of play followed by 15 minutes of half-time. Mmm.
Stats, as promised
Right, so we’ve got: 69% possession to the Matildas, and interestingly, 80% of aerial duels won. China are leading in the interceptions stakes (11 to four), which doesn’t surprise me after some less-than-ideal clearance play from the Matildas in the back half. China also leading the way in duels (58% success rate).
Matildas well ahead in passes: 221-98, and accuracy of those (79%, versus 55% for China). Just the 33% crossing accuracy, though. Three shots on target for the Matildas (for a pretty impressive strike rate of two on target, and three goals). Just the two shots for China, with the one on target the one that also resulted in a score.
Australia doing pretty well with their tackles - five for 100%, while China have nine for 67%. Six clearances for China to four for Australia, and three fouls to two for the Australians.
van Egmond has had the most possession (34 passes at 67% accuracy) followed by Alleway with 31 at 90% accuracy. Zhang Rui has managed the 21 passes for China at just 42% accuracy, followed by Ma Jun and Wang Shanshan at ten passes each (40% accuracy for the latter, and 60% for the former).
Apologies for those who aren’t stats nerds, I do like them myself.
And, a nice picture. As promised.
(Qualified) good news
Teams will come back out at 5:39pm AEDT, warm-up for 5 minutes, then continue the rest of the first half. #AUSvCHN #GoMatildas
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 26, 2017
...but does that mean they’ll be off again after five minutes? (since that’s all that’s left of the first half?)
Yes, yes it does.
We will then have a normal half-time break of 15 minutes, and continue with the rest of the second half here in Geelong. #AUSvCHN
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 26, 2017
Updated
We’re in replay territory, FYI
You know things are dire when SBS start to play the first half all over again. I’ll do some investigating and be back shortly, perhaps with some nice pictures and stats.
This just isn’t cricket
But, while we’re (still) waiting – don’t forget we’ve got a simultaneous live Ashes blog going.
Looks like the Australians have the ascendancy, at 53-0 in the 17th over, with England all out for 195 after their second innings. Australia need 170 to win.
Australian analysis
Plenty of chatter about Simon’s “blinder”. She’s back from shoulder surgery and will be pushing for her spot in the Asian Cup. Same goes for Alleway, who has unfortunately had a couple of howlers despite 90% passing accuracy. Impressed by Logarzo’s run, particularly at the near post, she’s pressing, possibly at the expense of Michelle Heyman. Nice problem to have for Stajcic.
Updated
Pause in play - while Kerr “brings the thunder”
Plenty of wisecracks on Twitter about Sam Kerr. Some I’ve seen - moves like lightning; when lightning strikes so does Kerr; Sam brings the thunder; only mother nature can stop her and so on and so forth.
Sam Kerr strikes like lightning but the weather has the upper hand right now #matildas #AUSvCHN #stormdelay
— Rachel Kleinman (@rachelekleinman) November 26, 2017
Apparently we’ll be back on in around ten minutes (well, at least ten). Knowing Australian soccer, we’d be more surprised by a game running on time, surely.
Updated
Storm delay
Uh oh, the players are being pulled from the pitch to the boos of the vocal and passionate Geelong crowd for some “dangerous”, looming lightning strikes.
Let’s take a quick break and hope that we’re back on soon.
GOAL! Australia 3-1 China
H1 38:00 Australia 3-1 China
Guess who? Sam Kerr becomes the first Matilda to score in six-straight internationals (for TEN goals from those six appearance, and 18 total). Kerr strips the ball from Xue Jiao, and it’s a hot strike which beats Fei Fei after a fumble. To be fair, I think Xiaolin would have gloved that one.
Updated
H1 36:00 Australia 2-1 China
Big differential in possession to the Australians - 67 to 33%. They’re running at 79% distribution accuracy to 54% for the Chinese – although one could argue this is one of the Matildas’ more sloppy efforts (which probably speaks to their form more than anything, to be fair).
Teams trading some scrappy possession, currently.
H1 33:30 Australia 2-1 China
According to my source on the ground, there is a “looming drenching” as thunder and lightning begin to sound.
Australia starting to get on top, and Kerr getting a touch on almost every ball forward, it seems.
H1 30:30 Australia 2-1 China
Here goes Kyah Simon again, she slides one through to Foord who tries to evade Xue Jiao, but this time she’s not beaten. Kellond-Knight will take the corner after making her way up from defence. It’s early into the action for Fei Fei, who’ll be glad that Alleway’s header has sailed wide.
H1 29:00 Australia 2-1 China
Lu Fei Fei, China’s back-up goalie, has had to make a dash to the changerooms for her gloves. Xiaolin looks hesitant to come off, but appears in some pain as she eventually leaves. That’s the third goalkeeper China have used in these two clashes.
Kyah Simon’s goal, for your viewing pleasure
Here you are.
WOW! What a STUNNING goal from @KyahSimon 🔥🔥🔥
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 26, 2017
📺: Watch the game LIVE on @FOXFOOTBALL 501 and @SBS. #AUSvCHN #GoMatildas pic.twitter.com/v1CWCPLpG7
GOAL! Australia 2-1 China
H1 23:50 Australia 1-1 China
That’s a strange one, Carpenter finds Foord who is too quick for those trying to mark her. She perfectly weights a ball into Logarzo, but it’s Li Danyang’s boot that finds the net in a clash of bodies.
Looks like keeper Xiaolin has had enough (lying injured on the floor) - I don’t blame her after what she’s had to face so far!
Prior to the goal, China were pressing impressively – particularly after the clearance from goal for the Australians. I’m still trying to find the Kyah Simon goal, while we have a break in play – but she’s set Twitter on fire and my NBN can’t cope. For those who don’t know, she was the first indigenous player to score a goal in a FIFA World Cup and debuted at 16. Has been a star for her nation – the fourth most capped Matilda, who apart from Wednesday’s game, last played in March in the Algarve Cup.
Updated
H1 21:00 Australia 1-1 China
Caitlin Ford looked offside, but she fires the ball in, just too high for Kerr in the middle, who ominously leapt for the ball. Some nice combinations here, plenty of one, two touches for Kyah Simon who looks in some seriously classy form.
H1 18:30 Australia 1-1 China
Still reeling from that Kyah Simon goal, I can’t do it justice until I can find you some visuals. The lack of celebration though speaks for an Australian side keen to improve their foot skills and regain some composure.
Wang Shanshan pushes on the outside of the box, but the pass isn’t on. The Matildas have slowed down their ball movement, but still look nervous/are making some very out of character mistakes.
GOAL! Australia 1-1 China
H1 15:00 Australia 1-1 China
Carpenter with the one, two to Kennedy and then gets one past Yueyun Lu before Kyah Simon fires an incredible long-range bomb – Xiaolin might have been slightly off her line, but Simon had no right to hit that so sweetly – that rivals the “once in a lifetime” goal from Kerr the week before. She was at least 30m out, but barely celebrates a brilliant strike. What a hit! Yet another highlight from the Matildas, who have a pretty unreal highlight reel.
H1 13:30 Australia 0-1 China
Beautiful sliding challenge by Wu Haiyan, Carpenter looked certain to press Xiaolin, but her diving save is decisive. Australia making some very uncharacteristic errors (and plenty of them). Ironically, given Kerr said composed play would be a focus, they look rushed with the ball.
H1 11:30 Australia 0-1 China
Just received a text from a friend at the ground with “two very excited young girls” – she asks if I’m attending, but sadly I am in Northcote.
It’s now Zhang Rui with the free-kick, who whips it in, but it’s headed away by Kennedy. The Matildas again find relative freedom on the break, but Carpenter turns it over before van Egmond appears to then find Kerr on the break. Flag goes up but the replay shows the call was incorrect.
H1 08:50 Australia 0-1 China
Kerr finds her way onto a lofted pass, but it’s a stray shot. Bi Xiaolin was off her line, but the shot was scuffed.
Ball is going end to end at the moment, both defences leaving gaping holes on the break.
GOAL! Australia 0-1 China
H1 07:00 Australia 0-1 China
China take the lead! Ren Guixin scores the ninth goal for her country after an error from Alleway is pounced upon by Yanlu, who fires an excellent through ball and Guixin finds the ball on the stretch (and the bottom of the net).
Updated
H1 05:00 Australia 0-0 China
Xu Yanlu gets onto a header after the cross – but it’s over the bar. China pressing early, keen to stamp their authority on the game after letting the last slip – but they’ll need to clean up their defence, this time Logarzo getting on the end of the quick break.
H1 01:15 Australia 0-0 China
Kerr off in the box within the first minute - after a nice through ball and some lax defending from China, but she’s offside. Plenty of cheering any time she nears the ball.
Just underway
Laura Alleway is playing in her 50th cap for the Matildas, while Sam Kerr has apparently been nominated by Western Australia for young Australian of the year. Always interesting whether sports stars should take these awards – but no question Kerr is changing the face of women’s sport in Australia (if not worldwide). Has scored in her last five consecutive matches.
Anthems
...are done. Matildas are cracking up as they were all out of time and possibly tune.
Very oddly packed/not packed view of the stadium. This appears to explain it:
Disappointed that @kardinia_park has made everyone sit in the one stand, looking into the sun, while the empty stand opposite offers complete shade. But who cares about the fans, whatever looks best for TV wins I guess. #AUSvCHN
— trmash (@trmash) November 26, 2017
The pitch
Looks pretty nice currently:
Geelong 😍😍😍 #GoMatildas #AUSvCHN pic.twitter.com/UEi5glZPy5
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 26, 2017
But not sure why the sprinklers were on earlier, given Kerr says it’s “wet”... hmmm.
Sprinklers on at Kardinia Park before #AUSvCHN pic.twitter.com/LQEiDs6ZmT
— Paul Mavroudis (@PaulMavroudis) November 26, 2017
Sam Kerr
Kerr on telly at the moment, says the long-range bomb was a “once in a lifetime” goal and something she’ll remember forever. Didn’t think the team started that well on Wednesday, gave the ball away a little too much and weren’t as patient as they should’ve been. It’s wet today, so she says the Matildas will be very careful. Expects an “angry” China after the normally-disciplined team suffered a 3-0 loss.
Fifa women’s player of the year award gets another biiiiig knock on the World Game for ignoring Kerr – our hosts aren’t afraid to call it “rigged”.
Loved this photo of her on Twitter the other day, as a women’s sport star that kids of all genders have embraced.
Now little boys finally have someone to look up to 😆 Seriously though, how great is this! #WomenInSport #SamKerrFacts
— Danielle Warby (@DanielleWarby) November 23, 2017
📸: @RachelBBach pic.twitter.com/HvoBXSXmIQ
Also loved Richard’s weigh-in, in response to China’s Wang Shuang being continually dubbed the “lady Messi”.
Sam Kerr is the Sam Kerr of women's football. What a superstar.#Matildas#AUSvCHN
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) November 22, 2017
Teams (and a must-watch Twitter video...)
Here are out line-ups for today:
LINE UP | Here’s how your Matildas start today against China PR in Geelong! #GoMatildas #AUSvCHN
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 26, 2017
📺: Watch the game LIVE on @FOXFOOTBALL and @SBS. pic.twitter.com/Fk4kWEGfUo
One name to look out for is Alanna Kennedy, who made some fans very happy with her sweaty socks on Wednesday night.
Have you ever seen someone so excited to get a pair of sweaty socks? 😂 pic.twitter.com/pzPo1qdHCR
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 23, 2017
Welcome
Hello everyone and welcome this second international friendly between the Matildas and China PR in the regional centre of Geelong, Victoria. I can’t wait to see how many locals (or Melbourians!) make the trip out to see one of Australia’s most popular teams in action for a final time in 2017.
The Matildas won 3-0 in the last meeting between these sides, at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Wednesday night, highlighted by this brilliant long-range strike from Sam Kerr (truly, I just want to watch this again).
Dear Global Football Community. If you haven't yet had the pleasure, please meet @samkerr1.
— #FIFAWWC 🇫🇷 (@FIFAWWC) November 22, 2017
RT @TheMatildas JUST WOW! Sam Kerr scores an absolute ROCKET!! 🚀🚀🚀
🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/458bfiTkvT
The Australians were relentless on Wednesday night in almost a complete performance from Alen Stajcic’s side. The woman who needs no introduction – Kerr – was typically brilliant for two, while Tameka Butt also continued her fantastic run of form. China, under new coach Sigurour Eyjolfsson, never quite looked in the game, but they are not without talent, and should put on a good showing for the second and final game of this mini-series. For reference, the Matildas are currently ranked sixth in the world, while China PR are ranked 13th.
In team news, keeper Lydia Williams comes back into the side after she was rested in game one (kudos to Eliza Campbell who pulled off a wonderful save in her cameo and debut appearance in her absence!) Attacking defender Stephanie Catley, however, is missing after sustaining an ankle injury on Wednesday night.
Spots in the 2018 Asian Cup are on the line here, so expect Australia to be unrelenting in their attack on the ball – much like in game one. This should be a good one.
Kate will be here shortly. In the meantime, have a read of what happened during the first Matildas v China friendly in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
