China U20 1-3 Australia U20
By Kieran Yap 3/12/23
Above: The Young Matildas celebrate Ella O’Grady’s (right) goal against China’s Under 20’s. Photo: Football Australia.
There was no A-League Women this weekend, but many of the competition’s best players were still in action as the Young Matildas defeated China in an international friendly.
Goals to Daniela Galic opened the scoring early in the first half, while Sasha Grove and Ella O’Grady completed the result after the break. It was an interesting and encouraging performance by Australia’s Under 20 side as they prepare for the Asian Cup in 2024.
China presented a different level of opponent to what The Young Matildas have recently been facing. They have been ruthless, dynamic and high professional as they racked up high scores and dominant performances in qualification for the upcoming tournament. Under Leah Blayney, they have played an exciting brand of football, but also been defensively disciplined and composed.
With respect to earlier opposition, China are another beast compared to Vietnam or Lebanon and the question was how would they perform against a team that might have more possession. The answer was encouraging.
For periods of the first half, China had Australia on the back foot, but with Naomi Chinnama, Jessika Nash and Alexia Apostolakis sitting deep and Sasha Grove dropping back to help, Australia proved hard to break down. China’s best opportunities came from earning repeated free-kicks around the area.
When Australia was able to attack, they were efficient. Khali Johnson struck the woodwork in the opening minutes and an Alana Murphy corner had China scrambling.
When they were able to set up their preferred pressing formation, Australia reaped immediate benefits. Johnson closed down a short goal kick with urgency and Galic latched onto the next pressure pass. She side stepped an oncoming challenge and finished with the class that Melbourne City fans are fast becoming accustomed to.
Australia eventually gained control of the match, Murphy was the principle ball mover in midfield, and her passing range helped set Johnson free to run at the China defenders.
The second half saw some rotation from the bench. Indiana Dos Santos came on for Murphy and Peta Trimis was swapped for Ella O’Grady. Australia doubled their lead in the 66th minute.
Chloe Lincoln played the ball out from goalkeeper and that began a 10 pass move involving eight players before Sasha Grove arrived on schedule to prod the ball home from the other six yard box. It was a perfectly executed team move that required confident quick passing through both the middle of the pitch and the left flank. It might have been the best goal of the day had Ella O’Grady not decided to produce some magic.
O’Grady has quickly developed a reputation for clinical finishing since her move to Melbourne Victory and has long shown that ability at youth team level. Her 68th minute strike was easily her best of 2023.
With China enjoying an attacking surge, The ball was cleared long from defence. O’Grady ran onto it and out wide, she looked cornered by the covering defenders. O’Grady quickly cut onto her right foot and unleashed a high dipping effort that flew beyond the Chinese goalkeeper to make it 3-0 in spectacular fashion. It was a long range effort that only gets better with repeated viewing.
China continued to work for a way back into this game and eventually found it through a late penalty. Naomi Chinnama was judged to have handballed in the box, but given the extremely short distance between her and the ball, it was harsh, although to the letter of the law.
There were some fortunate misses as far as Lincoln was concerned. One effort bounced off the crossbar, another skimmed just wide, but for the most part Australia defended well and Lincoln looked to have the shots covered.
Australia will play China once again on the 6th of December and will be broadcast on YouTube.
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