The Westfield Matildas have cruised to a 4-0 triumph over Haiti in today’s international friendly at the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Westfield Matildas have cruised to a 4-0 triumph over Haiti in today-s international friendly at the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis.
Ashley Brown, Katie Gill and Kyah Simon scored first-half goals before Michelle Heyman added a fourth late on, ensuring Australia opened their three-game tour of the United States with a convincing, yet hard-earned victory.
The positive result in what was Australia-s first meeting with Haiti at any level is the perfect tonic ahead of upcoming friendlies against the United States - the recently crowned Olympic Games gold medalists and number one ranked side in women-s football.
“It was good to get the hit out, that-s the first thought,” Westfield Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said after the match.
“We are pleased in the sense that we sort of finished the game early with three quick goals, which was good, we-ve come through the game with a clean sheet, which was good and we-ve come through without any injuries.
“We looked a bit rusty, as the game wore on and that was to be expected, particularly playing on this artificial field and after the long flight.
“All in all, when you put all the factors together, I was very pleased with the outcome.”
Australia opened their account with just four minutes on the clock.
Melbourne-based winger Brown - making her fourth senior appearance in green and gold - swung in a precise corner that Haiti custodian Edny Limase could only parry into her own net.
Gill doubled Australia-s advantage on 12 minutes with a precise finish after some delightful lead-up from Emily van Egmond.
Well and truly back in the Westfield Matildas fold after missing last year-s FIFA Women-s World Cup due to injury, Gill underlined her quality in dispatching her 35th international goal.
When Simon found the back of the net with a cool header from a well-worked short corner three minutes later, the floodgates threatened to open.
But, due largely to the tenacious Haitians stemming the Westfield Matildas- chances on goal, Australia-s tally remained at three until close to full-time.
Substitute Heyman - who claimed the Westfield W-League Golden Boot last season - headed home Danielle Brogan-s free kick with seven minutes play.
In the lead up to the goal, the Haitian goalkeeper collided with a defensive counterpart, forcing the referee to bring an end to proceedings slightly before time.
At the other end, Sermanni handed Melbournian goalkeeper Brianna Davey her Westfield Matildas debut, with the 17-year-old solid throughout her first taste of senior international football.
Davey was one of seven teenagers to play some part in the match for Australia, a positive sign for the Westfield Matildas with their next shot at a FIFA Women-s World Cup and Olympic Games qualification still two years away.
“It-s promising at the moment and we-re hopeful that all those teenagers continue to improve as they get older,” Sermanni said.
“We-ve got some real talent in the squad, tours like this are a great opportunity and a great learning experience for those players.
“Even the game tonight was a great learning experience and certainly the games against the United States will be fantastic for the players who haven-t a played a country of such stature.”
The Westfield Matildas are next in action on Sunday, 16 September in a glamour friendly against world number one and Olympic Games gold medalists the United States. Kick off at the Home Depot Centre in Los Angeles is at 12.30pm local time (Kick off 5.30am AEST, Monday, 17 September).
The Westfield Matildas will conclude their tour of the United States with a follow up friendly against the United States next week.
Match details Westfield Matildas: 18. Brianna Davey (gk), 3. Ashley Brown, 4. Claire Polkinghorne (2. Teigen Allen 62-), 5. Laura Alleway, 8. Danielle Brogan, 10. Servet Uzunlar, 12. Katie Gill (22. Michelle Heyman 78-), 14. Collette McCallum (c) (7. Caitlin Foord 62-), 15. Emily van Egmond (24. Emily Gielnik 78-), 17. Kyah Simon (23. Alanna Kennedy 62-), 19. Stephanie Catley Unused Substitutes 21. Mackenzie Arnold (gk)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Goals: Brown 6-, Gill 12-, Simon 15-, Heyman 83-
Haiti: 0. Edny Limase (gk), 2. Natasha Cajutse, 3. Fratzia Fracois, 6. Fiorda Charles, 7. Lovely Placide, 10. Wisline Dolce, 12. Shawna Hudson, 13. Sam Brand, 16. Tanya Taylor, 17. Nadia Valentine, 20. Manushka P.L. Substitutes: 1. Geralda Saintum (gk), 4. Kencia Marseille, 9. Yolande Meroue, 11. Sophia Batard, 15. Seline Bellevue, 18. Roseland Borgella
Yellow Cards: Dolce 35-, Fracois 71-
Red Cards: None
Referee: Michelle Cowman (United States)