By Kieran Yap 3/3/24
A combination of incredible mentality, and an ability to adapt on the field and coaches bench delivered Australia’s Under 20 team a win for the ages.
Above: Peta Trimis (middle), Daniela Galic and Lara Gooch celebrate Australia’s equaliser against South Korea. Photo: Football Australia
Leah Blayney’s Young Matildas have begun their Asian Cup campaign with a dramatic win over traditional powerhouses South Korea in practically unplayable conditions.
The air was visibly icy in Tashkent as the teams lined up, and most of the pitch was covered with snow, but goals from Peta Trimis and Naomi Chinnama gave Australia a 2-1 win after going behind early in the first half.
The opening game of any tournament is vital, and a draw would have satisfied many watching at home, but the win puts Australia in a strong position heading into the next game, howwver it did not come easy. Known for their flowing, relentless attacking football in the qualifying stages, the Young Matildas were noticeably hampered by the frankly ridiculous conditions. Players had to dig the ball out from snow to take free kicks, and it was not simple enough to just boot the ball away when feet were sliding out from under players.
The flanks and penalty areas were kept clear of snow, but curiously not the centre of the pitch. South Korea adapted quickest and kept Australia pinned back in the early stages, preferring to just get the ball forward rather than try and form any passing combinations.
Jeon Yug-Jeong opened the scoring after the ball slipped past Chloe Lincoln and was scrambled over the line. It was reward for the early momentum, but still felt like an unfair way for Australia to concede. Lincoln was otherwise excellent in a testing game and overcame that early error to be a stable presence and a vital source of counter attacks for the rest of the match. Jessika nash was outstanding in the first half and right back, and Sasha Grove was typically industrious on the opposite flank.
Australia were able to hold on until half time and took the much-needed opportunity to regroup.
Peta Trimis made her opportunity count in the second half. Australia started to move the ball quicker, and the 17-year-old Mariner ran onto a ball from midfield to slot past the South Korean goalkeeper and level the scores. The Young Matildas had been gradually working their way into the contest, and Blayney made more moves to take advantage of the conditions rather than fight against them. The introduction of Lara Gooch meant that long hoofed passes from midfield would hold up in the snow, and the young Newcastle attacker’s electric pace would take her clear of any defenders and keep them on the back foot as a team.
Alana Murphy was brought in after Indiana Dos Santos was withdrawn following a nasty looking tackle. Murphy’s three years of senior A-League football were immediately telling, and she was able to impose herself on the contest almost instantly. Kahli Johnson’s presence up front helped gradually shift momentum Australia’s way.
Up against one of the tournament favourites, a draw would have been an acceptable and commendable result, but the Never Say Die mantra of The Matildas is clearly baked into the DNA of the Under 20 side too. They sensed a win, pushed for the win, and forced it to happen through a mix of sheer will and Naomi Chinnama’s right boot.
Johnson’s presence and calm head held the ball up in after a set piece, she battled off three defenders but could not get the shot away through traffic. When the ball fell to Chinnama at the edge of the 18 yard box, she did not hesitate. The Melbourne City defender pulled the trigger and the ball dipped over the goalkeeper to give Australia a late lead. They were able to hold on through the final stages with rudimentary defending. The result was most important, and they secured one in the most difficult of circumstances.
This was one of the most impressive wins of their entire campaign. The high scoring games of qualifying were enthralling to watch, but rarely were they forced to dig deep like they were in Tashkent. This is a moment to celebrate but is also the first step of what is shaping up to be a tournament full of surprises.
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