Alanna Kennedy led out the Westfield Matildas for the first time in the 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament clash against Thailand.

The 25-year-old Kennedy grew up down the road from Campbelltown Stadium and, as a 10-year-old, told local media she dreamed of one day playing at an Olympic Games.

Head coach Ante Milicic made six changes from Chinese Taipei - bringing in Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Katrina Gorry and Emily Gielnik.

And a shuffled Westfield Matildas side were determined to back-up the 7-0 triumph from Friday on this same pitch 72 hours later.

Australia started strongly with Caitlin Foord threatening but the Thai defence held firm early on.

Gielnik shows her athleticism to avoid a tackle as the Green and Gold put the visitors under pressure in the first half.

Some frustration was starting to set in for Kennedy and her side as chances went begging.

Foord was persistent as wave after wave of Westfield Matildas' attacks were repelled.

With a minute to go until half-time, Emily van Egmond finally made the break through by converting Ellie Carpenter's swinging cross.

And the Melbourne City midfielder doubled her tally deep into first-half stoppage time when she swept in Carpenter's cross from close range.

Australia smelled blood in the second half with Kyah Simon coming close after the restart.

Hayley Raso, who was on the scoresheet against Chinese Taipei, came off the bench on 61 minutes to go in search of another goal.

Another goal scorer against Chinese Taipei, captain Sam Kerr also came off the bench to provide some extra thrust for Australia's attack.

Van Egmond was pushing for a hat-trick with Thailand beginning to tire in the last 25 minutes - as this hooked effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

And Kyah Simon finally made it three in the 67th minute - her first Westfield Matildas goal since April 2018.

Three minutes later, Van Egmond netted her first international hat-trick - and 21st goal for the Westfield Matildas - much to the delight on her teammates.

And a minute later, ex-Brisbane Roar attacker Raso found the net only 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute to make it five.

Simon made it four goals in six minutes as the Thai floodgates opened - notching her 24th international goal for 6-0.

Australia dominated possession in the closing stages, with Tameka Yallop coming on to make her first appearance of the competition.

The Green and Gold had chances to add to the score but a 6-0 victory sends them top of Group B with China PR to play on Thursday.

Alanna Kennedy led out the Westfield Matildas for the first time in the 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament clash against Thailand.

The 25-year-old Kennedy grew up down the road from Campbelltown Stadium and, as a 10-year-old, told local media she dreamed of one day playing at an Olympic Games.

Head coach Ante Milicic made six changes from Chinese Taipei - bringing in Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Katrina Gorry and Emily Gielnik.

And a shuffled Westfield Matildas side were determined to back-up the 7-0 triumph from Friday on this same pitch 72 hours later.

Australia started strongly with Caitlin Foord threatening but the Thai defence held firm early on.

Gielnik shows her athleticism to avoid a tackle as the Green and Gold put the visitors under pressure in the first half.

Some frustration was starting to set in for Kennedy and her side as chances went begging.

Foord was persistent as wave after wave of Westfield Matildas' attacks were repelled.

With a minute to go until half-time, Emily van Egmond finally made the break through by converting Ellie Carpenter's swinging cross.

And the Melbourne City midfielder doubled her tally deep into first-half stoppage time when she swept in Carpenter's cross from close range.

Australia smelled blood in the second half with Kyah Simon coming close after the restart.

Hayley Raso, who was on the scoresheet against Chinese Taipei, came off the bench on 61 minutes to go in search of another goal.

Another goal scorer against Chinese Taipei, captain Sam Kerr also came off the bench to provide some extra thrust for Australia's attack.

Van Egmond was pushing for a hat-trick with Thailand beginning to tire in the last 25 minutes - as this hooked effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

And Kyah Simon finally made it three in the 67th minute - her first Westfield Matildas goal since April 2018.

Three minutes later, Van Egmond netted her first international hat-trick - and 21st goal for the Westfield Matildas - much to the delight on her teammates.

And a minute later, ex-Brisbane Roar attacker Raso found the net only 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute to make it five.

Simon made it four goals in six minutes as the Thai floodgates opened - notching her 24th international goal for 6-0.

Australia dominated possession in the closing stages, with Tameka Yallop coming on to make her first appearance of the competition.

The Green and Gold had chances to add to the score but a 6-0 victory sends them top of Group B with China PR to play on Thursday.

Gallery: Westfield Matildas hit Thailand for six

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Check out best action shots from Campbelltown Stadium as the Westfield Matildas put six past Thailand to surge to the top of their 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying group.

Emily van Egmond struck her first international hat-trick, netting twice minutes before the half-time whistle as the Green and Gold finally pierced Thailand's armour after controlling the first half.

Hayley Raso and captain Sam Kerr were introduced on the hour mark and Australia rallied in the second-half, scoring four goals in the space of six minutes – with Kyah Simon notching twice, Raso finding the net and van Egmond completing her treble, while Kerr grabbed two assists.

Here are the all of the best in-game images from Sydney's south-west as Ante Milicic's side set up a Group B decider against China PR at Western Sydney Stadium on Thursday, 13 February.

REPORT: van Egmond hat-trick guides dominant Westfield Matildas to win over Thailand
REACTION: Simon praises Westfield Matildas character in win over Thailand

Tokyo-Olympic-Hub

Alanna Kennedy led out the Westfield Matildas for the first time in the 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament clash against Thailand.

The 25-year-old Kennedy grew up down the road from Campbelltown Stadium and, as a 10-year-old, told local media she dreamed of one day playing at an Olympic Games.

Head coach Ante Milicic made six changes from Chinese Taipei - bringing in Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Katrina Gorry and Emily Gielnik.

And a shuffled Westfield Matildas side were determined to back-up the 7-0 triumph from Friday on this same pitch 72 hours later.

Australia started strongly with Caitlin Foord threatening but the Thai defence held firm early on.

Gielnik shows her athleticism to avoid a tackle as the Green and Gold put the visitors under pressure in the first half.

Some frustration was starting to set in for Kennedy and her side as chances went begging.

Foord was persistent as wave after wave of Westfield Matildas' attacks were repelled.

With a minute to go until half-time, Emily van Egmond finally made the break through by converting Ellie Carpenter's swinging cross.

And the Melbourne City midfielder doubled her tally deep into first-half stoppage time when she swept in Carpenter's cross from close range.

Australia smelled blood in the second half with Kyah Simon coming close after the restart.

Hayley Raso, who was on the scoresheet against Chinese Taipei, came off the bench on 61 minutes to go in search of another goal.

Another goal scorer against Chinese Taipei, captain Sam Kerr also came off the bench to provide some extra thrust for Australia's attack.

Van Egmond was pushing for a hat-trick with Thailand beginning to tire in the last 25 minutes - as this hooked effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

And Kyah Simon finally made it three in the 67th minute - her first Westfield Matildas goal since April 2018.

Three minutes later, Van Egmond netted her first international hat-trick - and 21st goal for the Westfield Matildas - much to the delight on her teammates.

And a minute later, ex-Brisbane Roar attacker Raso found the net only 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute to make it five.

Simon made it four goals in six minutes as the Thai floodgates opened - notching her 24th international goal for 6-0.

Australia dominated possession in the closing stages, with Tameka Yallop coming on to make her first appearance of the competition.

The Green and Gold had chances to add to the score but a 6-0 victory sends them top of Group B with China PR to play on Thursday.

Alanna Kennedy led out the Westfield Matildas for the first time in the 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament clash against Thailand.

The 25-year-old Kennedy grew up down the road from Campbelltown Stadium and, as a 10-year-old, told local media she dreamed of one day playing at an Olympic Games.

Head coach Ante Milicic made six changes from Chinese Taipei - bringing in Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Katrina Gorry and Emily Gielnik.

And a shuffled Westfield Matildas side were determined to back-up the 7-0 triumph from Friday on this same pitch 72 hours later.

Australia started strongly with Caitlin Foord threatening but the Thai defence held firm early on.

Gielnik shows her athleticism to avoid a tackle as the Green and Gold put the visitors under pressure in the first half.

Some frustration was starting to set in for Kennedy and her side as chances went begging.

Foord was persistent as wave after wave of Westfield Matildas' attacks were repelled.

With a minute to go until half-time, Emily van Egmond finally made the break through by converting Ellie Carpenter's swinging cross.

And the Melbourne City midfielder doubled her tally deep into first-half stoppage time when she swept in Carpenter's cross from close range.

Australia smelled blood in the second half with Kyah Simon coming close after the restart.

Hayley Raso, who was on the scoresheet against Chinese Taipei, came off the bench on 61 minutes to go in search of another goal.

Another goal scorer against Chinese Taipei, captain Sam Kerr also came off the bench to provide some extra thrust for Australia's attack.

Van Egmond was pushing for a hat-trick with Thailand beginning to tire in the last 25 minutes - as this hooked effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

And Kyah Simon finally made it three in the 67th minute - her first Westfield Matildas goal since April 2018.

Three minutes later, Van Egmond netted her first international hat-trick - and 21st goal for the Westfield Matildas - much to the delight on her teammates.

And a minute later, ex-Brisbane Roar attacker Raso found the net only 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute to make it five.

Simon made it four goals in six minutes as the Thai floodgates opened - notching her 24th international goal for 6-0.

Australia dominated possession in the closing stages, with Tameka Yallop coming on to make her first appearance of the competition.

The Green and Gold had chances to add to the score but a 6-0 victory sends them top of Group B with China PR to play on Thursday.

COACH REACTION: Milicic pleased with Westfield Matildas new paths to goal
TICKETS: Tickets on sale for Matildas at Western Sydney Stadium in Parramatta

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Matchday 4 – Thursday 13 February 2020

Western Sydney Stadium, Parramatta

Australia v China PR – 7.30pm AEDT

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Broadcast: Live on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports, and the My Football Live App – delayed on ABC TV.

International viewers - Live streamed via My Football YouTube channel

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