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Australia head into the Olympics on a high after an encouraging 2-0 friendly win over China.
In the Matildas’ final clash before the Games, second-half goals from Clare Wheeler and Hayley Raso gave Tony Gustavsson victory on Monday in front of 76,798 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Crucially for Gustavsson, who is already without Sam Kerr and has concerns over forward Kaitlyn Ford and midfield ace Katrina Gorey, there appear to be no pressing injury concerns.
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Gustavsson notified the players earlier on Monday if they were in his 18-man squad for Paris, which will be announced in Sydney on Tuesday.
The win also provided a fitting farewell for Matildas goalkeeping icon Lydia Williams, who has announced she will retire from international football after the Olympics.
Williams was substituted at the end of the first half, drew a standing ovation and was able to drink the win from the Matildas bench.
But while Gustavsson’s side showed a clinical edge to get the result, they were held to half chances for most of the first half.
Alanna Kennedy fired a long-range shot over the bar and Tameka Yallop failed to turn a low sliding ball into the Chinese six-yard box.
Rasso had two good opportunities, but both times China goalkeeper Xu Huang was able to deny her.
China were disciplined and well organised, and in only one of their few forays forward did Australia manage to get a clear shot on target.
Michel Heyman weaved his way past two defenders after a turn just inside China’s half and the veteran striker did well until his final touch when he curled it wide of the post.
Soon after that near miss, Williams was replaced by Mackenzie Arnold, who saw out the rest of the first half.
Gustavsson turned to his bench at the start of the second half and it had an immediate effect.
Fresh off the field, Wheeler headed home Steph Catley’s free-kick in the 48th minute to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
That buzz was amplified when fellow substitute Courtney Wein, playing in a more central role, cut the Chinese defense to pieces with a gorgeous pass to Raso’s feet six minutes later.
Real Madrid ace Raso was drifting away from goal when she received the ball but was able to take it away from Sue, heading home from a tight angle.
Arnold was relatively untested in the Australian end, parrying an effort from Chinese forward Zhang Linyang in an otherwise routine performance.
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