Steven Danis
Women’s World Cup Correspondent
After 6 days and 15 matches, the Asian representatives have finally registered good results after Australia and China got their first win in this year’s World Cup campaign. Australia, who faced Brazil after their last met on 2016 Olympics, pulled off a 3-2 win while The Steel Roses got a narrow win against South Africa.
The Matildas went down by two goals from As Canarinhas, but managed score three and earn a comeback win in Montpellier. Brazilian living legend Marta played in the starting eleven in this match, having sat out as her teammates picked up their win against Jamaica on matchday 1.
Australia coach, Ante Milici, change his formation for 4-5-1 into 4-3-3 in search of a better result after beaten by Italy. But it’s was never easy for Australia, as Brazilian duo Marta and Cristiane presented a serious threat from the first whistle.
Brazil needed to wait until the 25th minutes as Elise Kellond-Knight, who played as a left back on this match fouled Leticia Santos in the penalty box. Referee Esther Staubli from Switzerland, without doubt, awarded a penalty to Brazil and Marta successfully scored her 16th goals in World Cup history, matching Miroslav Klose’s record on the men’s side in her fifth World Cup to take As Canarinhas ahead.
It’s soon got even worse for Australia after Cristiane scored her fourth goal in this year competition in the 38th minute. The 34-year-old striker, who headed back to Brazil this season after spending 4 years in France and China, headed the ball towards Lydia Williams’ net after getting a perfect cross from Debinha on the left side.
However, right before half-time, The Matildas closed the goal’s gap with a strike from Caitlin Foord. The Portland Thorns’ striker scored her first goal in a World Cup to give her side hope ahead of the second period.
There were massive changes for Brazil at half time as coach Vadao subbed in Luana and Ludmila for two iconic players, Formiga and Marta. Both changes felt like the right choices to replace their seniors. Luana, who plays for Swedish side Avaldsnes IL, is a defensive midfielder like Formiga, who got the yellow card in the first half. Ludmila, the Atletico Madrid striker, is the perfect sub for Marta, who looked tired enough on the pitch.
But nobody expected the change to affect Brazil’s gameplay so drastically, as they conceded two goals in the next 15 minutes after the half time. Chloe Logarzo made a driven long shot from outside of the box from the right side at the 58th minute which couldn’t be reached by goalkeeper Barbara to level the scoring. Shortly after, Emily van Egmond registered an assist for Monica own goal in the 66th minutes. Monica looked to keep the ball Samantha Kerr, whose she was marking, but unfortunately, her header found the net for Brazil instead.
The referee once reviewed the goal as the lineswoman raised the flag to indicate that Sam Kerr was standing in an offside position. However, a review of the video showed that she was onside when Monica made her attempted header, meaning that the referee allowed the goal. The Matildas pulled off their first win of the tournament to make Group C even more interesting going into the final day.
South Africa Giving Their Best Even Must Say Goodbye
Banyana-Banyana suffered their second loss in France after being beaten by Spain in the first game. China looked dominant from the first half as Li Ying returned on the starting eleven after her absence in the first game, and PSG starlet Wang Shuang also played from the start after featuring as a substitute in the game against Germany.
But the Steel Roses need to wait until five minutes before half time to take the lead, as Li Ying score her first goal in France. The 2018 AFC Asian Women’s Cup topscorer tipped the ball with her left foot after getting a cross from Zhang Rui on the right side. They found the net again two minutes later when Wang Shanshan heading the ball towards the nets from the corner kick scheme. But the goal was disallowed due to an intervention from Goal Line Technology.
China were not happy to score only one goal and keep attacking until the final whistle blown. However, 24-year-old goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, who plays in the United States, did enough to deny China’s attackers with her saves. Regardless, at the end of the game, South Africa must say goodbye as China collect three points and are now seeking their chance to go to the next round when they face Spain.