WATCH: CommBank Matildas overcome resilient Chinese Taipei 3-1
After a changeover in squad composition after the two matches against Brazil, there were six changes to the team that played on the Gold Coast.
Mackenzie Arnold came back in between the posts, and Charli Grant came into defence.
Chloe Logarzo made her first start for the CommBank Matildas since September 2021, and first appearance since October 2022 against South Africa. Emily Gielnik made her first start since July 2022.
Meanwhile, Natasha Prior and Daniela Galic built on promising performances on Sunday with their first ever starts.
Australia started the match on the front foot. The game began with several corners and significant pressure on the Chinese Taipei defence.
The pressure soon told. Chloe Logarzo received the ball from a short corner and whipped in a quality delivery towards the back post. First time starter Prior was there to volley it home at the back post and score her first CommBank Matildas goal.
A second first-time goal followed only moments later. A powerful shot from Gielnik rocketed off the crossbar. Sharn Freier was on the scene following up, and headed it home for her maiden goal in an ‘A’ International.
Logarzo was unfortunately forced off the pitch midway through the first half after a head clash. Alex Chidiac came on to replace her in midfield.
Chinese Taipei hit back before the break. A long ball over the top found the run of Jin-wen Chen, who did well to beat the defence and slot it past Mackenzie Arnold.
Australia continued to control the play in the second half. Chinese Taipei defended stoutly, and continued to ask questions on the counter, making the one goal lead at times a nervy one.
Michelle Heyman and Gielnik were withdrawn in the 72nd minute. They were replaced by Remy Siemsen and Bryleeh Henry.
The substitutes would need little time to get themselves in the game. Tameka Yallop found space on the left-hand side minutes after the substitutions. Henry made an assertive run at the back post, and the cross from Yallop was pinpoint. Henry's header was her first international goal.
Bryleeh Henry of Australia celebrates scoring a goal during the International Friendly match between CommBank Matildas and Chinese Taipei at AAMI Park on December 04, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)The goal sealed the result for the team, but big moments were still to come. In the window after the goal was scored, Leah Davidson came onto the pitch to become CommBank Matilda #232. Winonah Heatley came on in the same substitution window, while Jessika Nash appeared in the 87th minute.
It was a solid result for the team, with three first-time goal-scorers and a debut to boot. Attention now turns to the match against the same opponent in Geelong on Saturday evening.
CommBank Matildas v Chinese TaipeiDate: Saturday, 7 December 2024Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDTVenue: GMHBA Stadium, GeelongBroadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
