The Matildas’ Asia Cup campaign got off to an ideal, if rusty, start with a 1-0 win over the Philippines in their first group stage match in Perth on Sunday afternoon.
A first-half goal from captain Sam Kerr gave the hosts their first point of the tournament in front of a crowd of 44,379 at Perth Stadium, breaking the record for the largest attendance on the opening day of the Asian Cup.
Although they all met in camp just a week ago, signs of rust were evident throughout the match as the Matildas struggled to break through the dense Philippine defense.
It took several minutes for the ball to reach Australia’s front three of Kerr, Caitlin Ford and Hayley Raso. Mark Torcaso’s side defended the wide flanks diligently, double-teaming both Australian wingers. Ellie Carpenter and Laso collided with each other at one point as the team tried to find a rhythm.
A rare loose pass from Carpenter found the feet of Filipino forward Sara Eggesvik, and the Philippines’ absorption of pressure almost sparked a counterattack just two minutes into the game. Sarah Eggesvik attempted a long shot past goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln in the sunlight, but the 21-year-old comfortably caught it.
It was one of the only involvements for the Brisbane Roar shot-stopper, but Mackenzie-Arnold still appears to have recovered from his mysterious symptoms and was given a surprise call-up to start after third-choice goalkeeper Jada Wyman left the squad on the morning of the game.
Perth-born Kerr led his side in front of his hometown fans for the first time since November 2023, making his final appearance for the Matildas after nearly two years away from football due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
In the 13th minute, Kerr gave the crowd just that. Industrious midfielder Claire Wheeler’s deep cross from the right wing found Arsenal winger Ford at the back post and a free header past Filipino goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel to make it 1-0.
Kerr’s header seemed to wake up the rest of the team, and the Matildas found more energy and smooth progress for the remainder of the first half.
The Philippines’ defenders on the left struggled to contain the intertwined Laso and Carpenter, and they linked up multiple times to send crosses into the box, while Wheeler repeatedly broke through the opponent’s defensive line and connected different parts of the pitch.
Steph Catley, who started at left-back despite having been a mainstay for club and country over the past year, delivered a number of pinpoint set-pieces throughout the match, including a dramatic free-kick from McDaniel directly outside the box in the 29th minute.
A minute later, Laso slipped a long ball behind the Philippine final line and found the back of the net, but his toe-toe shot was ruled out for offside. Some slick one-touch passes saw Australia break through on both flanks on a regular basis, but crosses and cutbacks were repeatedly intercepted and cleared.
By the half-time break, Australia had 80% possession, had five shots on goal and four corner kicks, but struggled to create clear chances in front of goal.
The stats only went up throughout the second half. Two substitutions for the Philippines just before time gave the team some momentum, but they rarely penetrated the Matildas’ box as the hosts’ solid backline of Catley, Claire Hunt and Winona Heatley dealt with any danger well.
Alana Kennedy replaced the outstanding Wheeler soon after, while Mary Fowler, who recently returned from her own ACL injury, replaced Van Egmond in central attacking midfield, an indication of manager Joe Montemurro’s positional plans for the Manchester City star. In stoppage time, a long-range rocket flew over the crossbar, foreshadowing Fowler’s return.
The Matildas will face Iran in their next group stage game on the Gold Coast on Thursday.