CommBank Young Matildas defeated China U-20s in their opening game

CommBank Young Matildas defeated China U-20 Women’s National Football Team 1-3 in the first match of their two-match international series.

Daniela Galic, Sasha Grove and Ella O’Grady scored for Australia on Sunday afternoon at Xiamen Egret Stadium’s Subfield.

Compbank Young Matildas made it 0-1 to Australia after 10 minutes when Danila Gallic won the ball inside the 18-yard box and beat the keeper.

China’s best half chance came on 25 runs^Th The minute Lu Jiayu took a long-range shot in the opposition’s midfield, it fumbled briefly before being saved by Australian goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln.

Australia began to feel the pressure towards the end of the first period when Ouyang Yuhuan’s right-footed effort flew over the crossbar, but the green and gold side held on to their lead at the break.

As the second 45 minutes ticked away, the CommBank Young Matildas took more control of the game and began to dominate possession.

Australia’s high press capitalized midway through the second half after build-up play from Grace Johnston and Daniela Gallic. The ball found its way to Sasha Crowe, who doubled Australia’s lead into the bottom right corner after his side-footed effort.

Minutes later, super-substitute Ella O’Grady flew over the head of goalkeeper Liu Chen to make it 0-3 on the scoresheet with a stunning strike from distance.

China were awarded a penalty kick at the end of the second half and after receiving a handball in the box, Zheng Lu confidently placed it into the bottom left corner, the final score 1-3 in favor of Australia.

The match was also a special occasion for openers Grace Johnston and Millie Boughton. It will be Boughton’s second debut in as many weeks, having donned a Tottenham jersey for the first time in the Conti Cup against Bristol City at the end of last month.

CommBank Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney was pleased with her team’s performance and used the match as an opportunity to get match minutes into the legs of substitutes Grace Johnston, Indiana Dos Santos, Shay Hollman, Ella O’Grady and Maya Lobo.

„It’s important that we continue to develop chemistry between the players, but it’s also important to integrate new players into our lineup and give those who perform well in training a chance to shine,” Blaney said.

The Acting General of the Australian Embassy in Guangzhou, Ms. Sophie Smith was one of hundreds of fans who attended the match, along with local football enthusiasts and Australian University alumni who now live in Fujian province.

Australia will be looking for another win when they face China again in the final of the international series on Wednesday 6 December with kick-off at 3pm CST (6pm AEDT).

China v CommBank Young Matildas
Date: Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Kick-off: 1.00pm (local)/ 4.00pm (AEDT)
Location: Subfield of Xiamen Egret Stadium, Xiamen
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Competition details

China PR U-20: 1 (Giao Ruigi (B) 83′)
Australia U-20: 3 (Daniela Gallic 10′ Sasha Crowe 65′ Ella O’Grady 68′)

Competition: International friendship
Date: Sunday 3 December 2023
Location: Subfield of Xiamen Egret Stadium, Xiamen
Kick-off: 3:00pm (local) / 6:00pm (AEDT)

Referee: Dai Bingqiu (China PR)
Assistant Referees: Tai Ying (China PR) & Wen Lili (China PR)
Fourth Official: Mu Mingxin (China PR)

Australia U-20 XI: 1. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 5. Jessica Nash (C), 7. Peeta Drimis (6. Ella O’Grady 45′), 8. Alana Murphy (22. Indiana dos Santos 45′), 9. Daniela Gallic ( 17. Shay Holman 75′), 10. Zara Kruger (23. Avani Prakash 87′), 11. Kahli Johnson (25. Grace Johnston 64′), 15. Alexia Apostolakis (3. Maya Lobo 75′), 16. Sasha Grove, 20. Naomi Chinnama, 21. Millie Botton

Substitutions not used: 2. Claudia Cicco, 4. Jinaya Dos Santos, 12. Tahlia Franco (GK), 13. Milan Hammond, 14. Joe Garibidis, 19. Laura Cooch, 24. Georgia Cassidy

Yellow Card: Sasha Crowe 11′ Daniela Gallic 75′

Red card: No