By Kieran Yap 22/2/25
Above: The Young Matildas and Solomon Island players enjoy festivities at Parliament House. Photo: Tiff Williams for Football Australia
The Young Matildas have beaten The Solomon Islands 12-0 in the second game of the Four Nations Tournament in Canberra.
The Australian Under 20’s rotated heavily for this match after winning the first game 9-0 against Vanuatu, Melbourne City star, Shelby McMahon scored the first two goals, with Peta Trimis and Alex Collins all hit the back of the net to give the Aussies a 4-0 lead at half time.
Avaani Prakash pulled the strings in midfield for the Australians, while India Breier and Talia Younis were menacing down the flanks. Central Coast Mariners attacker Trimis was dangerous early on, whether whipping in crosses or finding space in the crowded penalty area.
The Solomon Islands sat deep, tried to limit the clear chances Australia could create, but the sheer number of opportunities that The Young Matildas forged meant that goals were inevitable, even if good goalkeeping frustrated them early on.
Trimis added her second after half time, after her first and second shots were saved in quick success, she buried the third effort to bring up her brace.
The floodgates were well and truly open. Collins scored her second when she finishes a move started by Josie Allan and Caley Tallon-Henniker.
The Solomon Islands were not without their threats, they relied on the counter attack and in the 52nd minute it nearly paid off after a high interception ended with Jemina David’s shot hitting the post.
Tallon-Henniker made it seven with a thunderous shot from 20 yards, and Trimis brought up her hatrick with an effort of equal quality on her left foot from a slight angle.
Collins had her third just minutes later, nodding on Mary Stanic-Floody’s curling cross from point blank range. Maya Lobo made it 10 with an absolute rocket from the edge of the area with the type of strike few centre backs are capable of.
Sienna Saveska entered the game in the later stages on a mission to add to her two goals from the opening match. After some trademark efforts from distance, she scored Australia’s 11th with a close range finish in the 88th minute.
As they did against Vanuatu, Australia scored with the final kick of the game. It was another wonder strike, this time from Tallon-Henniker after Saveska’s layoff to the edge of the box.
Trimis, Saveska and Vatu reflect
Hatrick hero and U20 World Cup veteran Peta Trimis spoke after the game
“I thought in the first half that we could have been better,” She told the media.
“Although we were getting the goals we spoke about tidying stuff up and I think we really came out in the second half and delivered.
“The crowd were really lively, and it was a really good experience, they pushed us to keep going.”
The Young Matildas have one match left and face Thailand’s U20 side on Tuesday.
“We’re really excited for that match,” said Trimis.
“It’s a really big challenge but we’ve been training well getting gelling well in the last few games, so we’re hoping to come away with a good win.”
It was a sentiment echoed by striker Sienna Saveska.
“They’re a strong side and a challenge for us,” said Saveska.
“Hopefully we can get the win over them and just play some good football. They’ll probably really test out and see how we’re going against a stronger side that plays more technical and tactical football. It should be a good game.”
Saveska notched up a goal and an assist in under 10 minutes of game time, but she was quick to praise the atmosphere created by the tournament and team.
“Just getting on the field in the Aus jersey is an amazing thing. We’re all here with a new group of girls and it’s just good to be out there and have fun with each other.
“Getting a goal and assist is just a bonus.”
Trimis also spoke of the closeness of the squad. The majority of the U20 team are A-League Women players, most get regular game time, and the rivalry has been put aside once they arrive in camp.
“On the pitch In the A-League we are very competitive,” said Trimis
“But off the pitch we’re such good friends and get along really well. We also really enjoy coming into camp and playing together.
“I really like coming down to Canberra, I scored my first A-League goal here so it’s a pretty special place to me. All the people sare always so nice and always come out and show up to games so that means a lot to us.”
For Claudia Vatu of the Solomon Islands, the result was hard to swallow, but the overwhelming feeling was pride that they gave it their all.
“W did our best, we gave our all on the field,” said Vatu
“It has been an emotional one for us since we had our family supporters who came out today. But I believe we all worked so hard and gave our best.
“We appreciate each and everyone who came out today, they gave us the confidence to fight until the end. We never gave up and gave our best in the field.
“It was quite emotional to see them come out and cheer for us from the first whistle.
A Parliament House full of V.I.P’s
On the Thursday before the game, all four teams met up for a dinner at Parliament House. Zara Kruger said that it was a valuable and enjoyable night for The Young Matildas as hosts.
“It’s been really nice to get to know some of the girls from the other teams, said Kruger.
“To learn off them through their footballing experiences and off the pitch as well.
“It was really nice to learn some of their language and teach them some of ours as well. The language barriers are hard, but a few of the girls could speak rerally good English so it was good to intertact with them.
“There’s a lot of mingling going on, a few AUS girls on each table, so everyone is just enjoying themselves.”
Thailand Under 20 Captain Madison Casteen said that the youth teams bonded over “Gen Z” things like Tik Tok, university, school and soccer.
“It’s been really welcoming from the Australian side of things,” Casteen told the media.
“It’s been really cool to see all the teams interacting and mingling together. In the past tournaments we’ve been to it’s never been this combined.
“The different cultures are really cool to see. My friend, she had a potato earlier and she didn’t like it and the Australian’s were like ‘oh my gosh, do you not like potatoes?”
The Four Nations Tournament has been Casteen’s first trip to Australia, and so far it has been a success. She has not seen a kangaroo in the wild yet so there are some ambitions left unfulfilled and she is looking forward to playing Australia even more now that the teams have met each other socially.
“The first thing I thought was the weather was really good, in America its snowing and in Thailand it’s hot,” she said of her first impressions.
Vanuatu’s High Commissioner to Austeralia Samson Vivil Fare said that the event at Parliament House was an important one for the Pacific Island teams.
“I think what I’m observing tonight is an amazing moment,” said Fare.
“Especially when you are bringing all the women and girls from the Pacific to come here and play football.
“it’s an amazing opportunity for them to not only open up and discover different opportunities that may be out there but also to play and showcase their talent in Australia.
“We’re very grateful to the Australian Government and also Football Australia to bring them across.
“It sends a very powerful message to young girls and young boys as well. It’s a message of inspiration.
“You can be good at something, and that particular something you can showcase it elsewhere.”
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