Matildas beat France as Fowler scores in front of record crowd
Mary Fowler has scored the winning goal to deliver the Matildas a 1-0 victory over France in an ideal final tune-up for their Women’s World Cup tilt.
Australia had struggled to find a cutting edge against the world No.5 side in the final third, in front of a record home crowd of 50,629 at Marvel Stadium, until 20-year-old Fowler coolly dispatched the only goal in the 66th minute.
Mary Fowler scored in an excellent team goal by the Matildas. Channel 10
Surely particularly pleasing for coach Tony Gustavsson was that the goal arrived after Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord had already come off.
But six days out from their opening match against Ireland, Australia will sweat on the fitness of veteran Tameka Yallop.
Yallop’s left knee hyperextended when she challenged for the ball in the 74th minute and she was substituted eight minutes later.
Defender Alanna Kennedy started in her first game for the Matildas since September 3.
Australia’s Mary Fowler scores a goal against France in send-off friendly. Getty
Kennedy, who has fought through multiple injuries over the past year, replaced Clare Polkinghorne as Clare Hunt’s central defensive partner.
The pair had some nervous moments but largely stayed composed and scrambled well when needed.
For the first 60 minutes,Australia created several good openings but were let down by their final ball, and had to scramble to block three strong France efforts.
In the 13th minute, Foord played Kerr in behind but the Australian skipper couldn’t pick out anyone with her squaring ball.
Four minutes later, France’s Selma Bacha shot straight at Mackenzie Arnold and in the 20th minute, Hunt cleared a venomous attempt from Grace Geyoro.
Katrina Gorry slipped through Foord six minutes later and she charged
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