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And that’s it – Matildas win 4-0
Game over. One-sided stuff … the Matildas got what they came for, which is a very strong win, one that could have so easily been by double the final scoreline.
Everything was better: the style, the end product, the pressure. The second half was a bit disappointing, but all things considered, Joe Montemurro will be really happy.
This sets them up beautifully for Sunday night’s showdown in Sydney with South Korea, the team who knocked them out of the last Asian Cup, for top spot in their group.
Oh, no… Raso, again?
Another point-blank clearance goes straight into Hayley Raso’s head. This time the side of her head. And the player who tried to clear the ball, Mona Hamoudi, immediately signals to the referee that she needs treatment. She does not look good.
If she is concussed now, what does that mean for her involvement on Sunday? Not good things, I’d imagine. But how’s the luck? For that to happen twice in quick succession? That surely has to be her night done – and yep, it is. On comes Michelle Heyman for the final minute or so.
Australia 4-0 Iran, 90+9 minutes
Siemsen denied!
And a really good effort, there, by the Iranian goalkeeper, to stop a fifth Australian goal and deny Remy Siemsen’s toe-poke from sneaking in.
Frustrating for Siemsen, who would have loved a goal there to push her case for more game time with Montemurro.
Australia 4-0 Iran, 90+3 minutes
Siemsen can’t get it across the line.Credit: Getty Images
We’re nearly done here
Stoppage time is coming up. By the way, if you’re wondering what’s been happening on the field, the answer is: not heaps. This second half has been repeatedly interrupted by Iranian players requiring treatment, including their goalkeeper, which means everything has to stop.
And to wit: we will now have 11 minutes of stoppage time to make up for it all.
Australia 4-0 Iran, 90+1 minutes
Poor crowd on the Gold Coast … or is it?
So the crowd at Gold Coast Stadium is 22,398, according to officials. This was billed as a sellout, but the venue’s capacity is almost 28,000, and there are definitely empty seats.
The AFC might have the mathematical skills of FIFA, based on the track records of both.
Vince believes this is not a great turnout, but I was in Perth and, despite the bigger numbers at Optus Stadium, the glitter strip beats it for atmosphere.
It’s raining, too, and Australians get lazy when it rains.
Come at me, Vince, go ahead.
From Vince: No, Emma, I won’t go at you. I’m just flat about my former home and its inability to throw off the ‘sporting graveyard’ reputation. I reckon we should be packing out major tournament games for Australia’s favourite national team. I’m not angry, just disappointed.
More pre-revolution Iranian flags in the stands
This is safety in numbers. Can the security guards confiscate all these flags?
You can confiscate one flag, but…Credit: Cameron Atfield
Looks like Raso will play on
We can only presume she has passed her concussion test, because Hayley Raso is about to re-enter the field. That’s some effort, given the ferocity of the clearance she ate.
Australia 4-0 Iran, 77 minutes
That’s a nasty falcon on Hayley Raso
Hayley Raso has not been on the field long and she’s already in the wars.
She’s just copped an attempted clearance by Iran’s Golnoosh Khosravi to the face from point-blank range, immediately putting her on her back and prompting the referee to stop play.
Has she been concussed? Wouldn’t surprise me. Didn’t seem like she knew where she is or what week it is…
Raso gets a concussion check.Credit: Getty Images
Two more changes for the Matildas
Ellie Carpenter and Clare Hunt have just come off, and Steph Catley and Kaitlin Torpey are on to replace them in Australia’s back four.
So there’s the five subs, all made by Joe Montemurro, with just under 20 minutes left to play on the Gold Coast.
Australia 4-0 Iran, 72 minutes
Hunt hasn’t had a lot to do in defence tonight. Credit: Getty Images
Australia’s lost a bit of fluidity
… which is natural for a game in which you are already 4-0 up and have taken the luxury of resting your entire first-choice front three. But the chances aren’t quite as voluminous or clear-cut as they were coming earlier.
Now, another brief break as an Iran’s Fatemeh Pasandideh is stretchered off after a heavy challenge. Hopefully she’s OK.
Australia 4-0 Iran, 71 minutes
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
