Captain Sam Kerr and forward Caitlin Foord showed why the Matildas are still a plane ahead of the Filipinas.
Both players scored a hat-trick each as Australia delivered a significant blow to the Philippines’ Parisian dreams with an 8-0 victory in the second round of the 2024 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Perth.
Australia moved to the top of Group A with 6 points and a goal difference of +10.
“We knew it was going to be a tough battle but we didn’t want to just sit in like (what) the last opposition did against them,” said coach Mark Torcaso. “So for us, it obviously got out of hand a little bit but we tried our best to match a good side as much as we possibly could.”
With the support of a sold-out crowd of 60,000 fans at the Optus Stadium, Foord and Kerr powered the Matildas, putting the game to rest with a five-goal lead by halftime.
Foord took the spotlight in the first half. The Arsenal star provided assists for Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr’s goals in the 15th and 19th minutes.
Foord also scored herself in the 29th and 33rd minutes.
Kerr added another goal with a fine finish past Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel in the 45+2 minute, compounding the Filipinas’ troubles.
Australia continued to press the Philippines’ goal in the second half. Kerr and Foord completed their hat-tricks with goals in the 46th and 56th minutes, respectively.
Clare Wheeler then joined the scoring party in the 72nd minute.
The Philippines dropped to second place in Group A with 3 points and a goal difference of minus-5. The other two teams in the group, Iran and Chinese Taipei, will play later tonight.
Both teams will conclude their remaining games this Wednesday at the Perth Rectangular Stadium. The Filipinas will face Iran at 3:50 PM, while Australia will take on Chinese Taipei at 7:00 PM.
Philippines XI: McDaniel (GK), Randle, Cowart, Sawicki, Long ©, Bolden, Eggesvik, Bonta, Beard, Quezada, Guillou.
Australia XI: Cooney-Cross, Catley, Foord, Fowler, Kennedy, Hunt, Raso, Arnold (GK), Gorry, Kerr ©, Carpenter.
