CommBank Young Matildas defeat stoic Uzbekistan 2-0 | Football Australia

The CommBank Young Matildas have made it two wins from two games in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024™, defeating the host nation 2-0.

The win means that if Australia avoid a seven-goal defeat against Chinese Taipei on Saturday, they will advance to the semi-finals of the tournament and secure a place in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™.

Head Coach Leah Blayney made three changes to the side that started against Korea Republic. Lara Gooch came into the starting side after a standout second half on Sunday, alongside fellow first game substitutes Alana Murphy and Shay Hollman in midfield. Millie Boughton, Indiana Dos Santos and Zara Kruger dropped to the bench as a result.

The Australian camp promised fast-paced, front-foot football. It was immediately delivered upon, with the CommBank Young Matildas applying ample early pressure.

In the first minute, Alana Murphy took Australia’s first corner. In the second minute, 16-year-old Maddie Caspers forced a fantastic save from goalkeeper Fotima Bakhriddinova after she firmly struck a half-volley.

It only took three more minutes for the pressure to lead to the breakthrough. Caspers played the ball to Peta Trimis in the box, who found Daniela Galic in front of goal. Galic was able to turn away from no less than three defenders in order to find space to shoot. She made no mistake once she found the angle, placing it calmly into the bottom corner.

Galic could have doubled their lead five minutes later, but fired over the crossbar after some good work from Trimis.

Uzbekistan’s path to attack was in transition. However, they were not able to get past a sturdy Australian defence. Led again by captain Jessika Nash as well as the ever-solid Naomi Chinnama at