Match Report
The Commonwealth Bank Matildas have marked their return home with a victory, defeating Brazil 3-1 at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
It was a special occasion for multiple reasons with Alanna Kennedy captaining the side in her 100th appearance and Tony Gustavsson earning a win on his first trip to Australia since becoming the head coach.
The Commonwealth Bank Matildas started the brightest, undoubtedly buoyed by the sounds of 15,270 fans in the stands, many singing the national anthem with them.
Tameka Yallop had a golden opportunity to open the scoring after the ball broke kindly for her but Brazilian ‘keeper Leticia made herself big and heroically denied Yallop, copping a knee to face in the process.
The Matildas attacked ferociously with the ball pinging around the box off an Australian corner but to no avail. Australia looked fast and fluid, finding joy down both flanks.
The rivalry between these two sides meant the game was unsurprisingly physical with Australia forcing Brazil into conceding lots of corners and set pieces.
Brazil’s few forays forward were dealt with, with Lydia Williams calmly claiming all shots on goal.
Australia finally broke the deadlock minutes before halftime through Clare Polkinghorne.
