Australia’s Matildas v Philippines, team lists, match information, how to watch

The main question surrounding Sunday night’s tournament opener in Perth was not whether Australia would win, but rather whether they could repeat the 8-0 thrashing they did when these teams last met in October 2023.

But coach Mark Torcaso warned his side had improved greatly since the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers, his second night in charge, and promised it would become frustrating to play against them.

The Philippines were truly frustrating in front of 44,379 fans at Optus Stadium; He was pressing on his boots as much as possible to prevent his much fancier opponents from establishing an attacking rhythm.

This worked for the first 14 minutes, during which young goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln was given the chance to show that a fourth cap is not beyond her grasp on such a big occasion.

But then everything clicked. Clare Wheeler curled a cross across the face of goal to Caitlin Foord’s head and Foord was looking at Kerr before she reached her.

The captain’s finish was a classic poacher’s goal, a hot header for Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel that hinted at more to come in the coming weeks.

Australia had enjoyed 88 per cent of possession when Hayley Raso’s goal was disallowed for offside and Steph Catley’s on-target free-kick forced McDaniel into a reflexive dive.

The bulk of the Philippines’ 12 percent came from clearances and blocks as they packed their defense tight and deep to keep the score steady at halftime.

The situation remained stable in the second half until the visitors established their first real period of possession, which left the crowd and Montemurro screaming for perhaps the first time.

This was supposed to be Tillie time, Kerr time, Foord time. He scored a hat-trick for days. But for that you need shooting accuracy and McDaniel not having the game of his life.

Maybe it’s time for Fowler? Expectations of an international return after a year-long ACL break were finally realized in the 68th minute when the Manchester City striker substituted Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy let Wheeler pass.

Fowler was clearly ready for the moment. There was a molten movement that slid into the gaps and then disappeared in a cloud of smoke. But it was Kerr who took another shot, taking the off-target total to 7 from 12.

Amy Sayer was the next blocker sent out as Raso called it a day and the Philippines did their best to slow down the tempo. The Matildas kept pushing. Catley took a shot. Sayer took a shot. Fowler kicked another shot, then another, until the shooting tally ended 15-1 in favor of Australia. There are only six people on target. Only one in the network. But a win is a win.