Ruthless Matildas thrash seven past rival in qualifier
CAITLIN Foord delivered a 29-minute hat-trick to power the Matildas to a 7-0 triumph over Taiwan in their Olympic qualifier in Sydney last night.
With Sam Kerr starting from the bench, Foord scored in the ninth, 24th and 38th minute to show why she recently signed with Arsenal.
Left-back Stephanie Catley, right-winger Hayley Raso, substitutes Katrina Gorry and Kerr also scored to ensure Australia moved to the top of the pool.
Despite the Mulan fielding a back-five and the wet conditions, a dynamic Matildas attack were able to create 23 more chances.
And the result was one of their more dangerous displays, setting the tone for the rest of their qualifying matches.
They face Thailand on
Monday before meeting China on Thursday.
The win came hours after China put six past Thailand in their first pool match of the Campbelltown double-header.
The Matildas need to finish in the top two to advance to the final stage of qualifying.
Coach Ante Milicic made six changes to the side that last played in their win over Chile in November, including Kerr on the bench.
And the home side was dominant from the outset, with the midfield putting the ball on the platter for Foord.
It started with a simple onetwo with Kyah Simon and then a no-look through ball from Emily van Egmond soon after.
Van Egmond again assisted for Catley seven minutes later, with the left-back chipping over the keeper.
Taiwan’s best chance came in the 33rd minute when a free kick fell to skipper Ting Chi, but she fluffed her chance.
Foord completed her hattrick, courtesy of another van Egmond touch-pass, for a fourgoal advantage at the break.
The goals continued to flow, with Raso scoring on the counter in the 54th minute.
Kerr was introduced on the hour-mark, and delivered with another goal on the counter.
Gorry completed the rout with a goal in added time.