5 fast hits: Michelle Heyman’s 4 objectives lead Matildas to 10-0 win over Uzbekistan and a spot on the Paris Olympics
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After ending fourth on the World Cup and the final Olympic Video games, the Matildas e-book their ticket to Paris with redemption on their minds and perhaps a brand new/outdated face within the combine.
Listed here are 5 fast hits from their 10-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan.
1. Fairytale rolls on for four-goal hero Michelle Heyman
With 4 objectives in opposition to Uzbekistan in Melbourne to go along with one in Tashkent on the weekend, the query can be requested: why was the A-League Ladies’s all-time main goal-scorer out of the Matildas’ squad for therefore lengthy?
At 35 years of age, many assumed Heyman’s worldwide profession was over, having introduced her worldwide retirement in 2019. However after Sam Kerr’s premature ACL harm, the Canberra United striker’s type and expertise earned her a name from Tony Gustavsson.
Six years on from her final look for the Matildas, participant of the match Heyman looms not simply as an Olympic starter, however crucial to Australia’s medal probabilities.
“The power she brings on and off the sphere is fairly particular,” Katrina Gorry informed media post-match.
“It looks like residence having her again.”
Heyman was rested within the second half of Wednesday evening’s sport, after taking simply quarter-hour to attain a hat-trick, and heading residence a fourth purpose in stoppage time within the first half. For what it is price, Heyman mentioned she informed Gustavsson “I’ve obtained 5 in me” earlier than she was taken off.
2. An opportunity for Olympic redemption
With a spot booked on the Paris Olympics, to be held in July and August this 12 months, the Matildas have the chance to go one higher than they did on the record-breaking World Cup in 2023.
At their residence match, Australia fell agonisingly wanting a third-place end, dropping to Sweden. It mirrored their efficiency on the Tokyo Olympic Video games in 2021, the place the Matildas misplaced a bronze medal play-off to the USA after the Swedes pipped them 1-0 within the semis.
Talking on the pre-game press convention, captain Steph Catley mentioned the staff is bored with ending fourth.
“It’s one thing that sits fairly heavy inside this group,” she mentioned.
“We’re all getting a bit older now and the alternatives for main tournaments are getting thinner. The core group is operating out of alternatives … [so] the fervour and need is basically there.”
There’s a actuality to Catley’s fears. Of Wednesday’s line-up, Catley and Gorry are 31, whereas Heyman is 35 and Emily Van Egmond is 30 (as is the absent Sam Kerr).
3. A dozen sell-outs in a row
Melbourne is formally a cheerful looking floor for the Matildas.
Few might neglect their 4-0 backs-to-the-wall win in opposition to Canada throughout the World Cup, however they’d doubled that scoreline by half-time in opposition to Uzbekistan at Docklands on Wednesday.
After a hard-fought 3-0 victory within the first leg of qualification in Tashkent, Wednesday’s 10-0 end result was a scoreline few noticed coming.
Nevertheless it was warmly welcomed by the 54,120-strong native crowd, who noticed their beloved nationwide staff simply as soon as throughout the World Cup.
Followers might be seen brushing up on the off-side rule on trains to Southern Cross as an oppressive, 39-degree summer season day didn’t hold followers away.
4. New face removed from misplaced
Australia named a number of uncapped gamers for the 2 Olympic qualifying matches in opposition to Uzbekistan, with a type of 23-year-old Kaitlyn Torpey.
Comparatively unknown to the packed crowd, Torpey nonetheless slotted in seamlessly for her second worldwide look, scoring Australia’s fifth purpose within the twenty second minute of the one-sided contest.
Torpey isn’t any stranger to Melbourne, with the full-back having made 48 appearances for Metropolis within the A-League Ladies’s competitors, earlier than this 12 months signing a profitable deal to affix San Diego Wave within the US’ NWSL (reportedly for a document price).
Torpey was concerned in a number of Matildas’ objectives throughout the evening, together with the primary personal purpose, earlier than transferring into her customary defensive position within the second half.
5. Success about legacy as a lot as medals
“Do not misread me,” Gustavsson mentioned to media on Tuesday.
“I actually desire a medal for these gamers, however inspiring a brand new technology of gamers and bringing girls’s soccer on the map … that is success in itself.”
It is a line similar to the one he repeated throughout the 2023 World Cup, when the Australian coach frequently referred to the ‘legacy’ of the record-breaking match being larger than the sport itself.
On Wednesday evening, that legacy was there for all to see, with one other full home marking the twelfth consecutive sold-out residence worldwide for the Matildas.
Heyman, who debuted for the Matildas in 2010, mentioned she could not assist however discover the distinction in help, 14 years on.
“To listen to how loud it was on the market, it gave me goosebumps,” she mentioned.
“That is one thing I actually wished to be part of, particularly being within the crowd on the World Cup.
“Lots of people informed me I used to be too outdated, however [getting back into the team] now, it simply means a lot extra to me.”
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