The Matildas delivered a mature performance in testing conditions against Mexico but key questions remain unanswered over fringe squad members three months out from Paris.
Star forward Caitlin Foord orchestrated a 2-0 friendly victory in San Antonio on Wednesday as Australia looked fitter, stronger and more lethal than their world No. 31 opponents.
Foord set up the Matildas’ opening goal against the run of play in the ninth minute before she struck with a booming finish early in the second half which appeared to crush Mexico’s resistance.
The 29-year-old wove her way in from the left hand side before faking a shot with an exaggerated swivel of the hips, which gave her the space to fire a pinpoint shot into the bottom right corner.
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Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson brought on Brisbane Roar forward Sharn Freier for a national debut in the dying moments but made no other significant moves, after starting Steph Catley in central defence and shifting Kaitlyn Torpey to left-back to cover for the injured Clare Hunt.
Gustavsson said there was doubt over Hunt and Katrina Gorry’s availability for Paris, but he refused to blood centre-back Winonah Heatley or start in-form Everton midfielder Clare Wheeler and instead stuck to known quantities at the level.
It means two games against China in six weeks’ time will be crucial to assess who should take the depth positions when Australia’s squad is slashed from 23 to 18 for Paris.
Veteran striker Michelle Heyman started and looked important to Australia’s structure as a target forward as she managed to play 62 minutes as the temperature topped 30C early in the game.
Torpey, who has emerged as an Olympics squad bolter after impressing across the pitch, got the nod ahead of Charli Grant to start at left-back, as Cortnee Vine returned to the side as a second-half substitute but missed an easy chance to score after great play by Emily van Egmond found her alone in the box.
RASO AGAINST THE TIDE
Mexico dictated proceedings early with an aggressive high press which regularly forced Australia to defend deep in its defensive third.
Mackenzie Arnold’s composure was tested with several adventurous Mexican attacks demanding quick thinking, but she was as cool-headed as ever and the Matildas made their opponents pay for not capitalising on the scoreboard.
Caitlin Foord got the Matildas their first genuine look at the goals with a classic winding run down the left, and her pass found Hayley Raso on the edge of the box.
Raso turned cleanly on the spot and put just enough heat on her shot into the bottom left corner to force an error from Mexican keeper Esthefanny Barreras for Australia’s first.
KYRA, THE DISTRIBUTOR
There was little experimenting from the Matildas in San Antonio but one new sight was Kyra Cooney-Cross dropping back to take goal kicks.
With Australia determined to play through Mexico’s press from the back, the midfielder played short passes to Arnold to give her a wider range of motion with the ball and more options to try and split the press.
The midfield without Katrina Gorry was tweaked slightly throughout the match – Emily van Egmond started deeper in Gorry’s absence but switched with Mary Fowler into a higher role after the first half-hour.
PARIS OPPONENTS LOCKED IN
The Matildas’ fourth Olympics group opponent was finalised on Wednesday with Zambia to join Germany and the USA after sealing a come from behind aggregate win over Morocco with an extra-time penalty in the final African qualifying game.
The “Copper Queens” are ranked 65th in the world but are emerging as a serious threat after qualifying for their first World Cup last year.
Gustavsson will have to plan carefully to stop superstar striker Barbra Banda, who scored twice in the 2-0 win over Morocco to secure a berth in Paris.
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