It was always anticipated there would be questions for the Matildas after their friendly against China on Friday night, just not the ones now being raised after an uninspiring 1-1 draw. With just days until Tony Gustavsson will reveal the 18 players to earn a place in his squad at the Paris Olympics, the conversation coming out of Adelaide Oval was supposed to revolve around who had put their hand up for one of the few select spots the coach had indicated were still in dispute. But then the game happened, and once again concerns surrounding the Matildas’ ability to function in possession and the depth that exists beyond the established starting XI have again come to the fore.
Unable to find their way through a well-disciplined and well-structured Chinese defence, it took the Australians until the 50th minute to record a shot in anger. It was an unremarkable one as well; a back-peddling Alanna Kennedy sending a header well wide from almost the top of the box from the second phase of a corner. This, however, was immediately followed by China making their way up the other end and sending their fifth attempt of the game wide.
Xu Huan scrambled an almost-Mary Fowler chance away five minutes later but by then Gustavsson had seen enough. A five-player change was signalled for, with nailed-on first-teamers Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Hayley Raso, and Kyra Cooney-Cross entering the fray just past the hour mark in place of Torpey, Cortnee Vine, Charli Grant, Tameka Yallop, and Clare Wheeler. The withdrawn quintet had been the most obvious players who were being given a chance to press their case for a trip to Paris when the lineups were submitted but, cruelly, none can be said to have done so.
The Matildas’ tempo and intent improved with the injection of the more established talent and half-chances began to be created. Then, in the 95th minute, Michelle Heyman demonstrated why she’s booking her ticket, poking home a late leveller after Huan spilled a free kick stabbed in from Fowler. The moment demonstrated that even after a rather quiet night at the office, the A-League Women golden boot winner possesses the kind of instincts and poise that will be crucial to this Sam Kerr-less outfit at the Paris Games.
Michelle Heyman, never say die 🙌
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) May 31, 2024
🎥 @10FootballAU #AUSvCHN #Matildas #TilItsDone pic.twitter.com/RV4Eq3Gp2S
This positive ending however, came in the shadow of Foord, arguably Australia’s most important player given how she facilitates the team in attack, being forced off just 15 minutes after coming on with an apparent hamstring injury. The setback comes a week after Foord featured in a post-season friendly for Arsenal against an A-League All Star outfit.
For the fringe players, most of their time on the park was spent bogged down during periods of extended possession before being repulsed by China. Confronted with an opponent content to sit off them when precise pressing cues weren’t triggered, the Matildas looked bereft of ideas and inspiration when tasked with finding their way through the crowded confines of the middle of the park. And when a turnover did come, the Chinese sprung forward with clear purpose and intent, looking the more threatening of the two sides as the game was played on their terms.
Just minutes after Gustavsson was seen making earnest adjustments on his magnetic whiteboard, the visitors took a deserved lead on the half-hour mark, Central Coast Mariner Wurigumula shrugging off Torpey on the right – no VAR present to adjudge if she had done so unfairly – before sending in a deflected cutback that Zhang Linyan turned around the corner and beyond Mackenzie Arnold.
Now, it must be noted that China are no slouches. They’re in something of a rebuild but they are the reigning Asian Cup champions. And though he’s only new to the post, Ante Miličić – the man who Gustavsson replaced as Matildas boss – is one of the more tactically-astute coaches Australia has produced in recent decades. But with the USA, Germany and Zambia waiting in Paris, things aren’t going to get any easier for the Matildas.
