Mary Fowler has scored the successful purpose to ship the Matildas a 1-0 victory over France in a super ultimate tune-up for his or her Girls’s World Cup tilt.
Australia had struggled to discover a leading edge in opposition to the world No.5 facet within the ultimate third, in entrance of a report residence crowd of 50,629 at Marvel Stadium, till 20-year-old Fowler coolly dispatched the one purpose within the 66th minute.
Absolutely notably pleasing for coach Tony Gustavsson was that the purpose arrived after Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord had already come off.
However six days out from their opening match in opposition to Eire, Australia will sweat on the health of veteran Tameka Yallop.
Yallop’s left knee hyperextended when she challenged for the ball within the 74th minute and he or she was substituted eight minutes later.
Defender Alanna Kennedy began in her first sport for the Matildas since September 3
Kennedy, who has fought by a number of accidents over the previous 12 months, changed Clare Polkinghorne as Clare Hunt’s central defensive associate.
Fantastic work and frustration
The pair had some nervous moments however largely stayed composed and scrambled effectively when wanted.
For the primary 60 minutes, Australia created a number of good openings however have been let down by their ultimate ball, and needed to scramble to dam three robust France efforts.
Within the thirteenth minute, Foord performed Kerr in behind however the Australian skipper couldn’t pick anybody together with her squaring ball.
4 minutes later, France’s Selma Bacha shot straight at Mackenzie Arnold and within the twentieth minute, Hunt cleared a venomous try from Grace Geyoro.
Katrina Gorry slipped by Foord six minutes later and he or she charged by the 18-yard field and skipped previous Wendie Renard, solely to be denied by French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Within the thirty second minute Kadidiatou Diani pressured an excellent goal-saving clearance from Steph Catley.
Shortly after, Kerr burst away however failed to search out anybody together with her squaring ball.
Penalty name scotched
France’s Grace Geyoro unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty after a one-on-one with Hunt within the forty third minute.
Katrina Gorry went on an unbelievable mazy run within the 54th minute however had her ultimate tried through-ball blocked.
Kerr and Foord made method within the 62nd minute.
4 minutes later, Kyra Cooney-Cross slipped by Raso on the fitting and the winger burst ahead and reduce the ball again for Fowler.
Fowler, who has recovered from a fractured again, took a stunning contact and easily completed on her left.
Yallop limped off within the 82nd minute whereas France star Bacha was stretchered off within the closing levels.
-AAP