Matildas defeat Czechia 4-0 in first Cup of Nations sport because of Hayley Raso brace

Nicely, as anticipated, this was a sport all about shaking off the cobwebs.

The Matildas began the primary half nicely, deciding on the ball early, however struggled to create many clear-cut alternatives going ahead.

Czechia have been spectacular defensively for the primary 45 minutes, barely permitting Sam Kerr a glimpse of purpose, whereas forming a stable red-and-blue wall that stored the Matildas to photographs from distance or hopeful lengthy set-pieces.

Going into the break at 0-0, the vibe was {that a} change was needed, significantly in midfield the place Australia have been missing some vitality and creativity.

They got here out a unique group within the second half, significantly Manchester Metropolis Hayley Raso, who scored a fast brace to offer Australia a bit extra breathing-room, earlier than Sam Kerr and Clare Polkinghorne added the third and fourth in what was a way more dominant 45 minutes.

Tony Gustavsson spoke within the build-up concerning the significance of sport administration, and this was a superb alternative for the group to evaluate, alter, and adapt to a sport the place that they had the upper-hand for more often than not, however could not capitalise.

The following large check comes in opposition to Spain this Sunday; a really totally different form of sport the place Australia will not count on to have as a lot ball dominance as they did tonight, making the alternatives they do create all of the extra essential to transform.

I will see you all then!

A Czechia participant received completely clattered within the face by a clearance from her personal participant, with the referee instantly blowing her whistle and signalling for assist.

They’ve introduced the stretcher out to hold her off as added time ticks over.

A becoming finish to what was a little bit of a capitulation by the Czechs, in the long run.

The winger picks up a pleasant little move from Cooney-Cross simply contained in the D and lets it rip by a scrambling defender, however Czechia’s goalkeeper will get down simply in time to place her torso behind it.

Just a few minutes left – who takes our your Participant of the Match, blog-watchers?

Shout-out to the 7,702 individuals who confirmed as much as Gosford on a Thursday night time for this sport! They’ve actually received their cash’s price on this second half!

AND IT’S THE RECORD-BREAKER CLARE POLKINGHORNE!

On the event of her 152nd look for Australia – now the outright chief within the historical past of the Matildas – the veteran centre-back scores probably the most unlikely Polkinghorne purpose by deftly clipping residence a nook kick; the kinds she normally buries together with her head.

What a stunning, understated little end. Fairly like her profession, actually.

4-0.

Extra of it, I say!

The Brisbane Roar striker makes a stunning run in behind the shoulder of her defender, controlling an ideal through-ball from Kyra Cooney-Cross and taking a step in direction of the six-yard line, however she panics and clips the ball simply over the crossbar.

And it is Sam Kerr!!!

The striker lastly will get her purpose, however this was a transfer that was all about Alex Chidiac.

The substitute made an instantaneous influence, beginning the sequence of passes from midfield out to the fitting facet, with the ball returning proper to her toes close to the highest of the field. The Racing Louisville midfielder then put her laces by it, low and laborious right into a sea of Czech legs, with the deflection spinning off proper into the trail of Kerr, who tapped it residence close to the again submit.

Speak about game-changers, eh?

3-0.

Each Czecia and Australia are making three substitutions every simply previous the hour-mark.

The Czechs deliver on Denisa Vesela, Andrea Staskova, and Kristyna Ruzickova, whereas the Matildas deliver on Alex Chidiac, Emily Van Egmond, and Larissa Crummer rather than Cortnee Vine, Mary Fowler, and Katrina Gorry.

Simona Necidova appears to have executed one thing to her wrist, falling into the turf and clutching her arm to her torso because the Matildas attempt to break free.

However the referee whistles play lifeless and the physios come out to verify on her, strolling her slowly off the sector.

It appears like three substitutes are being ready from the guests’ bench, too.

The pocket-rocket winger has been one of many Matildas’ finest gamers tonight, not solely because of her two targets, but in addition as a result of her work-rate off the ball. She’s been monitoring again every time she loses possession, creating width to drag Czecia’s defenders aside, and has been retaining tempo excessive when on the ball.

She’s enjoying like she has a degree to show – which, in some methods, she does. Raso hasn’t been enjoying a lot for Manchester CIty just lately, used primarily as a late-game substitute or in a Cup competitors from time to time.

Tony Gustavsson stated earlier this week that gamers who aren’t enjoying many minutes for his or her golf equipment are a priority: he needs his squad as match-fit as doable coming into the World Cup this July, with a number of Matildas coming into camp having performed extra minutes for Australia than of their leagues over the previous few months.

Raso is clearly utilizing this Cup of Nations to remind him that she’s nonetheless a weapon, even when Gareth Taylor may not be utilizing her in England.

Who else do you reckon falls into this bracket? Mary Fowler involves thoughts…

And it is a Hayley Raso brace!

Steph Catley’s nook curls in direction of a tangle of yellow shirts on the again submit earlier than being headed again throughout purpose. Raso leaps up first, beating her defender within the air and guiding the spinning ball into the highest nook.

2-0!

A galloping run down the fitting sees a phenomenal ball clipped in behind the Matildas’ back-tracking defensive position, with Czechia’s centre-forward making a bee-line for the entrance submit, however Hunt stands sturdy and simply muscle tissue her away from the trajectory of the ball. Even Mackenzie Arnold threw herself to the bottom, pondering it’d join. Very shut.

And it is a Hayley Raso traditional!

After Sam Kerr picked up the ball in midfield and charged in direction of Czechia’s centre-backs, Raso pulled huge to create some house and pointed in behind her opposing defender to the place she wished the move.

Kerr laid it on a platter for the Manchester Metropolis winger, with Raso taking a steadying contact earlier than drilling the ball low in direction of the purpose, spinning off the leg of a Czech defender and slamming into the web.

1-0!

And the Matildas have made a change, however not the place we anticipated!

23-year-old Clare Hunt has simply earned her first cap for Australia, coming in to exchange Aivi Luik at centre-back alongside Polkinghorne.

What a second for the teen, who’s been on the radar of Gustavsson and the Matildas workers for a while, however whose profession has been hampered by numerous accidents over the previous couple of years.

Congrats, Clare!

Nicely, there have been no added minutes to that first half, which stunned all of us within the media field!

The ultimate play of the opening 45 was a free kick for the Matildas, with Catley curling in a stunning ball from the fitting facet to try to discover the top of Sam Kerr, however Czechia’s wonderful defenders head it away as soon as once more.

It has been an fascinating half: the stats present that regardless that Australia have had nearly double the quantity of possession, issues have been a bit of extra even the place it counts. The Matildas have had seven photographs, however only one heading in the right direction, whereas the Czechs are 4 and three.

As Tony Gustavsson usually says: video games are gained and misplaced contained in the 18-yard field. Neither group has gained or misplaced it, but.

What modifications should be made on the half-time break, do you reckon? Who can Australia flip to on the bench to shake issues up?