Two Victorians shine as the CommBank Matildas recorded a comfortable 4-1 victory over African Champions South Africa at Kingsmeadow in London.
Arsenal’s Steph Catley was named the Matilda’s player of the match for her two assists and creative play across her 70 minutes of playing time.
Hammarby IF’s Kyra Cooney-Cross also played an important role in the victory, playing the full 90 minutes in the midfield.
Catley was also bestowed the honour of captaining the national side after Sam Kerr was struck with an illness last week which relegated her to the bench.
The CommBank Matildas played a slightly different style than in the previous international window against Canada. While lining up in the expected 4-3-3 formation, in possession the wing-backs were given much more license to go forward, leaving Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry in midfield to sit deep and cover. Cooney-Cross, in particular, was often seen covering Catley’s left-back role defensively. This license allowed Catley to have a particularly influential game, both from set pieces and from open play.
Within five minutes of kick-off, Cortnee Vine found herself in the right place at the right time to tap in her first international goal on the rebound after Mary Fowler rose well to meet a Steph Catley corner.
In the 42nd minute, Steph Catley who post-game former Matilda Grace Gill claimed was “world-class at putting the ball in that dangerous area” was once again at the forefront of play for the Commbank Matildas. This time with a direct assist from the corner to set up Sarah Polkinghorne for Australia’s third goal of the match.
The East Bentleigh junior helped set up Australia’s fourth goal of the day with a wonderful chip that found the feet of Caitlin Foord who managed to backheel the ball into the back of the net with her trailing leg via a deflection.
Commbank Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson was pleased to give “young gun” Kyra Cooney-Cross the full 90-minutes of playing time.
"I also think we saw the future of the CommBank Matildas,” he said.
"Having that type of solid performance against them, at least internally, is definitely going to bring even more momentum and I hope that people outside have the right perspective about this type of win."
Photos: Paul Harding/Getty Images