The Matildas demonstrated their dominance in Perth with a commanding performance, securing a clean sweep of their Olympic qualifiers with a resounding 3-0 victory over Chinese Taipei. Despite their overall dominance, the Australians faced a resilient Chinese Taipei defense, which gave them a tough challenge in the first half.
Hayley Raso, one of the standout players for the Matildas, praised their opponents’ determination and resilience. She acknowledged the difficulty they faced in breaking down the Chinese Taipei defense but credited her team’s tactical adjustments and the introduction of Charlie Grant for providing the energy needed to secure the win. Raso also expressed her satisfaction at seeing goalkeeper Lydia Williams in action.
The support from the Perth fans was also highlighted, with Raso expressing her gratitude for the incredible backing the team received. She described it as surreal and credited the fans for their continued support following the team’s success in the World Cup. Raso concluded by emphasizing the team’s focus on the next step, which is qualifying for the Olympics.
Mary Fowler, who was named Player of the Match, viewed the win as just another step in the team’s Olympic qualification journey. She expressed the team’s motivation to go further than their previous fourth-place finishes in major tournaments and achieve something substantial. Fowler also praised the electric atmosphere created by the Perth crowd, mentioning the energy it brought to the game.
Caitlin Foord, another standout player for the Matildas, enjoyed her performance in Perth and expressed her pleasure in playing in front of the home fans. Foord believed that the World Cup had transformed the game in Australia and had a significant impact on the players’ lives. She viewed playing in front of crowds like the one in Perth as an exciting experience.
Overall, the Matildas’ clean sweep in their Olympic qualifiers provided a perfect send-off for Perth. The team’s dominant performance, combined with the incredible support from the fans, has set them up for the next challenge – the Olympics. The players are determined to go further than ever before and achieve their goals on the international stage.
