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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jo Khan in Perth

Caitlin Foord proves versatility as Matildas belatedly click in Olympic qualifiers

Caitlin Foord Matildas Sam Kerr Mary Fowler Steph Catley Tony Gustavsson Olympics Philippines Hayley Raso Australia
Caitlin Foord celebrates scoring the Matildas’ third against the Philippines in the Olympic qualifier in Perth.
Caitlin Foord celebrates scoring the Matildas’ third against the Philippines in the Olympic qualifier in Perth. Photograph: Noe Llamas/SPP/Shutterstock

When the Matildas thrashed Canada to secure their spot in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup, it was off the back of a Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord masterclass. Their on-field chemistry stemmed from a decade of playing together for club and country, but on Sunday, as Australia dismantled the Philippines in front of a record Perth crowd, it was clear there are other, just as potent, dynamics.

Since returning to Manchester City after the World Cup, Mary Fowler has been used as a wide forward, instead of in the central role she had performed for Australia. The Matildas coach, Tony Gustavsson, decided to test that against Iran on Thursday and it paid off – Catley and Fowler set up Sam Kerr for their second goal. But with Fowler out wide again against the Philippines, the test was of Foord in the centre with Kerr.

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