Matildas salvage late draw against China in football friendly at Adelaide
A 95th-minute equaliser from Michelle Heyman helped the Australia women’s football team secure a 1-1 draw against reigning Asian champions China.
Football
The Australian women’s football team played out a 1-1 draw with the People’s Republic of China in the international friendly match at the Adelaide Oval.
The Matildas, 12th in the world football rankings, secured a late equaliser thanks to Michelle Heyman in the 95th minute. Reigning Asian champions China, ranked 19th, led the scoreline for most of the contest after Zhang Linyan opened the scoring at the half-hour mark.
The Australian women’s team will face China again on Monday in the final warm-up match ahead of their Paris 2024 Olympics campaign. The match will be played at the Stadium Australia in New South Wales.
The match began with the Matildas bossing possession but China, who were playing their first match this year, were well-organised. The visitors recorded the first shot of the match courtesy Wang Shuang but her attempt was off target.
China, led by former Matildas coach Ante Milicic, took the lead in the 30th minute. Striker Wurigumula made her way down the right and proved too strong for Kaitlyn Torpey. Her cross reached Zhang Linyan, whose right-footed shot beat goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and crept in at the far post.
Australia almost bounced back two minutes later when Mary Fowler’s deep free-kick was headed across the six-yard box by Clare Hunt. However, Michelle Heyman, under pressure, failed to make contact from close range.
The hosts had another opportunity to equalise in the 56th minute when Torpey made an overlapping run down the flank and played a sublime cross into the box. However, Fowler was unable to reach the ball before Chinese keeper Xu Huan could.
Caitlin Foord had to be taken off in the 76th minute after she went down clasping her hamstring. With the Matildas already suffering from an injury crisis, head coach Tony Gustavsson decided to bring on Sharn Freier in Foord’s place.
With mere seconds left on the clock in injury time, the Matildas finally found the equaliser thanks to Michelle Heyman.
Fowler’s free-kick was headed straight at the keeper, who parried it onto Heyman’s path. The Australian attacker pounced on the loose ball to salvage a late draw for her team in front of the home supporters.