The CommBank Junior Matildas played the second game of their 2024 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup Round 1 Qualifiers campaign, recording a 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei and progressing to Round 2 of qualifying.
Head Coach Rae Dower made seven changes to the side that defeated Mongolia 11-0 on Monday, with Georgia Ritchie, Alvina Khoshaba, Mia Golding, Lilly Simpson and Chloe Parker making their first appearances of the qualifying tournament for Australia.
Both sides had chances to open the scoring in the first 10 minutes, with Ritchie called into action to deny Chinese Taipei, while Tiana Fuller went close to adding to her four goals against Mongolia.
Skipper Shelby McMahon had a prime chance to find the opener, some brilliant link-up in the final third by the Junior Matildas and the midfielder's shot from outside the box just wide of the upright.
Australia's pressure finally paid off with Ischia Brooking opening the scoring with her first goal of the qualifying campaign, McMahon was able to find the midfielder just outside the box with her shot squeezing past the keeper to give her side a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Back Row (L to R): Talia Younis, Ischia Brooking, Ruby Cuthbert, Georgia Ritchie, Shelby McMahon (c), Tiana Fuller
Front Row (L to R): Alvina Khoshaba, Mia Golding, Georgia Groidis, Lilly Simpson and Chloe Parker
Dower made three changes to start the half, with Shayla Williams making her first appearance of the tournament and Sienna Dale and Isabela Hoyos came on for the final 45 minutes.
Australia had a chance to double their lead from the spot, a good ball in behind from Khoshaba found the substitute Williams who was brought down in the box and stepped up to take the attempt and made no mistake.
Lillian Skelly and Carina Rossi made appearances off the bench again, coming on in the 68th minute to replace Lilly Simpson and Talia Younis, respectively.
Dale added Australia's final goal in the final minute of stoppage time, sealing back-to-back wins for the CommBank Junior Matildas.
Australia finished at the top of Group B and now progress to Round 2 of Qualifying in September, with the Junior Matildas finishing on the maximum of six points.
Head Coach Rae Dower talked about her side's progression to the next round following back-to-back wins in Round 1 of qualifying.
"We’re really happy and proud of the entire team as we booked our place in the Round 2 qualifiers. Ultimately, that was the overall aim of this tournament, alongside providing valuable match experience to the squad." Dower said.
The side saw seven changes made to the side that beat Mongolia 11-0, with some players making their debut for Australia.
"Another 2 debutants on deck and 3 first-time goal scorers for Australia, it was a dominant performance which provided much-needed tactical exposure to the group," Dower explained.
"Full credit to Chinese Taipei, they were very disciplined and made it difficult for us to break them down with a deep, compact defence. We needed to be more patient at times and struggled a bit with the blustery conditions," she explained.
"Overall though, it was a totally dominant performance across the tournament and we thoroughly deserve our place in the next round of qualification."
Dower finished off by thanking her staff that travelled alongside the players to Mongolia.
"A huge thanks to our wonderful staff who turned a logistically difficult trip into a memorable football experience to last a lifetime and we look forward to continuing to build momentum with the team," she concluded.
Watch the full match replay now.
Match Details
Australia U-17: 3 (Brooking 25' Williams 58' Dale 94')
Chinese Taipei U-17: 0
Tournament: 2024 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup Round 1 Qualifiers - Group B
Date: Friday 28 April
Venue: MFF Football Centre, Ulaanbaatar
Kick-off: 3.00 pm (local) / 5.00 pm (AEST)
Referee: Asaka Koizumi (Japan)
Assistant Referees: Saki Nakamoto (Japan) & Nuannid Donjangreed (Thailand)
Fourth Official: Supiree Testhomya (Thailand)
Australia U-17 XI: 1. Georgia Ritchie (GK), 2. Alvina Khoshaba, 5. Georgia Groidis (16. Williams 45'), 7. Ruby Cuthbert, 8. Mia Golding, 11. Ischia Brooking, 15. Lilly Simpson (14. Skelly 68'), 17. Talia Younis (4. Rossi 68'), 20. Tiana Fuller (19. Dale 45'), 21. Shelby McMahon (c), 22. Chloe Parker (13. Hoyos 45')
Substitutes not used: 3. Amelia Tartaglia, 6. Kiera Meyers, 10. Grace Kuilamu, 12. Jessica Skinner (GK), 18. Sofia Fante (GK), 23. Jade O'Brien
Yellow Card: Nil
Red Card: Nil