The CommBank Young Matildas continued their 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Round 2 Qualifying campaign with a victory over the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Head coach Leah Blayney opted for six changes to the side that beat Lebanon 5-0 on Saturday night, giving a first-ever start for the Young Matildas to 15-year-old Indiana Dos Santos.
Kahli Johnson opened the scoring once again, finishing her chance into the bottom corner. The winger doubled her tally almost instantly, Sienna Saveska getting a slight touch on the ball to play Johnson through to finish from the top of the box.
A corner at the other end almost saw the Islamic Republic of Iran half the deficit, with Chloe Lincoln doing enough to keep Australia's two-goal lead intact.
Leah Blayney opted to make a change to her defence after taking a 2-0 lead going into the break, bringing on Jessika Nash to replace Naomi Chinnama to start the second stanza.
Maya Lobo scored Australia's third of the day, Saveska whipping in a deep corner that found Lobo at the back post who headed her attempt home.
Two more players entered the game after the goal, with goalscorer Maya Lobo and Shay Hollman making way for Gemma Ferris and Zara Kruger. Blayney opted for more changes to the side, with Johnson coming off after scoring a brace and being replaced by Ella O'Grady and Apostolakis making way for Tijan McKenna.
O'Grady had the chance to score Australia's fourth of the game, with Trimis playing her through for a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper, but her touch around the goalkeeper was too heavy.
The CommBank Young Matildas are one step closer to qualifying for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup as they look towards their final game of the group against Vietnam on Wednesday night.
Rewatch the full match replay.
Match Details
Iran: 0
Australia U-20: 3 (Johnson 27' 29', Lobo 64' )
Tournament: 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Round 2 Qualifiers - Group A
Date: Monday 5 June 2023
Venue: Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Kick-off: 4:00 pm (Local) / 7:00 pm (AEST)
Referee: Pansa Chaisant (Thailand)
Assistant Referees: Nuannid Donjangreed (Thailand) & Phutsavan Chanthavong (Laos)
Fourth Official: Bernatskaia Veronika (Kyrgyz Republic)
Australia U-20 XI: 1. Chloe Lincoln (GK)(c), 3. Maya Lobo (4. Ferris 65'), 6. Shay Hollman (14. Kruger 65'), 7. Sienna Saveska, 11. Kahli Johnson (17. O'Grady 65'), 13. Peta Trimis, 15. Alexia Apostolakis (2. McKenna 79'), 19. Ava Briedis, 20. Indiana Dos Santos, 21. Naomi Chinnama (5. Nash 45'), 23. Sasha Grove
Substitutes not used: 8. Alana Murphy, 9. Jynaya Dos Santos, 12. Tahlia Franco (GK), 16. Claudia Cicco, 18. Grace Wilson (GK), 22. Emilia Murray
Yellow Card: Saveska 49', O'Grady 84'
Red Card: Nil
Australia v Vietnam
Date: Wednesday 7 June 2023
Time: 7:00 pm (Local) / 10:00 pm (AEST)
Venue: Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Watch Here