Hometown hero Sam Kerr and Arsenal star Caitlin Foord have scored hat-tricks because the Matildas all however assured passage to the following spherical of Olympic qualifying with a 8-0 rout of the Philippines in Perth.
In entrance of a sellout crowd of 59,155 at Optus Stadium on Sunday, Kerr and Foord scored first-half braces as Australia took a 5-0 lead into the break.
Kerr secured her hat-trick simply 24 seconds into the second half when she headed dwelling a pinpoint cross from Mary Fowler for her 68th purpose from 127 internationals.
Foord notched her personal hat-trick within the 56th minute when she danced round an opponent on the byline and nailed her shot from a good angle.
The end result thrust the Matildas to the highest of Group A on six factors, which means all they want is a draw in opposition to Taiwan at HBF Park subsequent Wednesday to ensure development to the ultimate stage of qualification in February.
Caitlin Foord scored a hat-trick as Australia ran rampant in opposition to the Philippines.
Even with a loss the Matildas would both prime the group or a minimum of qualify as the perfect runner-up from the three Asian confederation teams.
The one concern from Sunday’s match was an harm to substitute Cortnee Vine, who got here off within the seventy fifth minute with what seemed to be a hamstring challenge 10 minutes after approaching.
“It is wonderful to play right here in entrance of a packed crowd,” Kerr informed Channel 10 after the match.
“I feel everybody got here out right here and gave 100 per cent. We labored our butts off immediately, that is for certain.”
The Matildas rested most of their largest stars in Thursday’s 2-0 win in opposition to Iran, however they wheeled out a full-strength outfit in opposition to the Philippines in a match that will successfully determine the group winner.
Kerr, Foord, Mackenzie Arnold, Steph Catley and Fowler have been among the many 10 modifications, and it did not take lengthy for the floodgates to open.
Fowler opened the scoring within the fifteenth minute courtesy of a intelligent deflection from Foord.
And the gang went right into a frenzy when Kerr scored from shut vary within the nineteenth minute following an outstanding run by Foord, who beat two opponents earlier than dishing off the help.
Sam Kerr was in very good contact as Australia confirmed their dominance of their qualifying group.
Sam Kerr (r) celebrates with Hayley Raso and Ellie Carpenter after scoring a purpose through the Ladies’s Olympic Soccer Event Paris 2024 Asian Qualifiers Spherical 2 soccer match between Australia and the Philippines. Supply: AAP / Richard Wainwright
Kerr turned supplier for the following purpose when she expertly managed Fowler’s lobbed cross earlier than dishing off to Foord to attain within the thirtieth minute.
Foord added one other three minutes later when she held off an opponent earlier than sliding a shot previous the goalkeeper as she was falling to floor.
Kerr made it 5-0 on the stroke of half-time when she discovered herself one-on-one in opposition to the goalkeeper and blasted the ball into the again of the web.
The Matildas skipper headed dwelling Fowler’s cross simply 24 seconds into the second half, and it was occasion time within the 56th minute when Foord evaded an opponent to safe her hat-trick.
Kerr, Hayley Raso, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry have been subbed off within the sixty fifth minute with the job completed, however substitute Clare Wheeler ensured the occasion continued with a 72nd-minute rocket from the sting of the field to safe her maiden worldwide purpose.
The world No.44 Philippines, coached by Western United mentor Mark Torcaso, got here from behind to beat Taiwan 4-1 of their group stage opener, however they have been merely no match for the Matildas.
Iran face off in opposition to Taiwan within the second match of Sunday’s doubleheader.
