By Kieran Yap 5/6/24
Above: The Australia U23’s mob Ana Margraf after her 80th minute equaliser.
Australia U23’s 2-2 Poland U20’s
(5-3 on penalties)
Australia’s Under 23 team has ended the Four Nations Tournament on a high with a win on penalties over Poland.
Mel Andreatta’s substitution’s made a huge impact, as Alana Cerne and Ana Margraf both scored for Australia to level the scores after going down 2-0. Margraf then slotted the decisive penalty to give the Aussies their first win of the tour.
Compared to the previous two matches, this was a more open game. Shay Hollman and Cushla Rue started in midfield and attack respectively, while Daniela Galic was rested after two full matches where she attracted close attention from Germany and Sweden.
Australia looked sharp early, the passing game that had been a feature of the first two matches was still evident, but there was an extra sharpness in attack that felt promising. Kahli Johnson tested the Poland goalkeeper with a trademark effort after cutting in from the left.
Poland’s strength was on the flanks and a cross from the right drifted over Chloe Lincoln but fortunately bounced off the far post. The rebound was skied over in an escape for the Aussies.
Milly Broughton was involved and proactive in attack, creating chances for herself and others. Her confidence on the ball is growing with each appearance in Green and Gold, and although she didn’t score, this was her best performance since joining the Matildas pathway.
Australia conceded first. The high line and aggressive formation was undone by a speculative long kick from Poland’s goalkeeper. The ball bounced over the head of Alexia Apostolakis and with a burst of pace Nadia Krezyman was free to run in behind and finish calmly.
Poland extended their lead in the second half with a header from captain Natalia Wrobel. The Aussies were 2-0 down, but quickly found a way back into it.
Andreatta made three substitutions. Alana Cerne, Ana Margraf and Isabel Gomez all entered the pitch to almost immediate effect.
Australia earned a free kick wide on the right and Gomez directed the ball back across goal for Cerne to finish on the line. They had pulled one back just five minutes after conceding.
Margraf was making her presence felt playing on the left side of the attack. Her approach was a mix of physical aggression to test the Polish defence and some frankly Bergkamp-like touches to control high balls. Some of her efforts on goal were wayward, but the intent and lack of hesitation was encouraging.
Polly Doran made her way onto the field soon after, and Bryleeh Henry moved into the centre forward role.
Henry’s defensive efforts in pressing the Poland defence added more energy to Australia’s attack but her hold up play helped deliver the equaliser.
After receiving the ball from deep, Henry held off the centre back before flicking a pass to Leah Davidson. The midfielder found a lurking Margraf on the left and the finish matched the buildup for quality. Australia was level and in the ascendancy.
The Aussies continued to attack. Henry was collected brutally by Poland’s goalkeeper as the two raced to a long ball from Chloe Lincoln.
The Aussie goalkeeper had also pulled off some crucial stops as both teams hunted a win.
Australia almost snatched a winner late but Gomez was inches away from reaching a ball at the back post. Regular time ended 2-2 and the game would be decided by penalty kicks.
Gomez, Hana Lowry and Jessika Nash slotted the first three, and Poland replied in kind. Hollman scored the fourth, and Australia had the advantage when Poland’s last effort hit the woodwork.
Margraf capped off an impressive game with the winning spot kick and Australia celebrated the win.
Every youth camp is primarily about development over results and although the bare score lines make for tough reading, this was a worthwhile camp for the Under 23’s.
In all three games they moved the ball very well, in most cases they were able to play out of trouble in deep areas and creating chances was not a problem.
On the basis of these games it appears that there is a lack of dominant centre forwards, but Johnson and Broughton look to be fast improvers in that area, Henry was excellent when moved to the role and Lowry was desperately unlucky in the opening game.
Importantly, this team never stopped trying, and found a way to victory when a third consecutive loss looked likely.
There is a gap between Australia’s and Europe’s best at youth level, just as there is between Australia and Japan in Asia, but it is closing fast. Our players can compete, and they are at home at international level.
It is very exciting to think about where these players could be in a few years time.
Lineups:
Australia: Lincoln, Apostolakis, Henry, Tonkin, Rankin, Hollman, Davidson, Hughes, Rue, Johnson, Broughton. Substitutes: A Grove, Aquino, Margraf, Doran, Lowry, Gomez, Galic, L Mckenna, Cerne, Trimis, Nash, Chinnama.
Scorers: Cerne 60’ Margraf 80’
Poland: Radkiewicz, Skupien, Kokosz, Kaczor, Domin, Wrobel, Krezyman, Dudziak, Gietkowska, Gasioreck, Legowski. Substitutes: Symczak, Michlewicz, Kazanowska, Grzybowska, Gec, Sobal, Wlodarczyk, Szewczyk, Jedrzejwska, Kloda, Bednarz.
Scorers: Krezyman 24’ Wrobel 55’
Referee: Isabelle Svensson.
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