China U20 3-1 Australia U20
By Kieran Yap 6/12/23
Above: Sasha Grove was exceptional for Australia in both games. Photo: Football Australia.
Despite the scoreline, Australia’s Under 20 side left fans and observers with plenty to be excited about in their last game of 2023.
A late Alexia Apostolakis goal was not enough to prevent the Young Matildas finishing their year with a 3-1 defeat. Australia’s Under 20 side faced China in the second game of the international break having defeated them by the same score on the weekend. With an eye on next year’s Under 20 Asian Cup, manager Leah Blayney rotated the squad in midfield and attack to give players an opportunity to push for a place on the plane.
Zara Kruger, Milan Hammond, Grace Johnston, Zoe Karipidis Lara Gooch and Indiana Dos Santos all came into the starting 11. Naomi Chinnama, Jessika Nash and Apostolakis all retained their placed anchoring the team in defence.
Australia started the brighter of the two sides, attacking with pace down the flanks, but the killer touch that was present in the opening game was missing at the goal mouth. China’s opening goal was a well struck effort from a corner kick, and although not exactly against the run of play, did feel like it signaled a shift in momentum.
Australia’s midfield was not as dominant as they were in game one. China looked much more comfortable in possession, but the trio of Aussie centre backs were able to repel most attacks. With China defending deeper and quick to get into formation, it was difficult for Australia to break them down.
The second goal was an unfortunate one to concede. A hopeful effort from the wide area squirmed past Chloe Lincoln who otherwise had another solid game between the sticks. China’s third left the Canberra United keeper with no chance, as the striker stole possession near halfway and powered into the box before firing into the net from close range.
Australia were not cowed by the scoreline, and did not look panicky or rushed in their attacks. Sasha Grove and Peta Trimis were introduced and had immediate impacts. Grove was busy across both flanks, and Trimis certainly enhanced her reputation as an international prospect.
Apostolakis’s goal came in the 89th minute. Kruger’s well hit corner was headed towards goal by Chinnama and the Western Sydney Wanderer slammed home the rebound with the poise of a veteran striker. It gave Australia some hope, and a reward for the persistence shown in despite the deficit.
Despite the identical but mirrored scorelines, Australia probably had the better of the series. It might sound strange, but they played better in their 3-1 loss than China did on Saturday.
They still created chances, and found different avenues to goal when it became apparent that China was not going to let them get behind as easily as they did in game one. Grace Johnston very nearly levelled the scores after a well worked set piece, but her header glanced wide of the far post.
The Young Matildas left the field looking disappointed, as is to be expected of a team aiming for silverware, but for fans there was plenty to like about this performance, even if the scoreline didn’t reflect that.
The Young Matildas have only four months to prepare for the Asian Cup, but they were a match for China over these two games, in another solid window for this exciting group of footballers.
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