If an experimental Matildas team’s 6-0 thrashing of Taiwan was Tom Sermanni’s final game in charge, then the interim coach will depart his post believing he has helped the team “come back to life”.
Sermanni oversaw an emphatic triumph on Saturday night with six different Matildas finding the target on the night they said farewell to departing great Clare Polkinghorne in front of 30,097 fans at GMHBA Stadium, and hello to Armidale raised 19 year old keeper, Chloe Lincoln.
Lincoln, who learned to play soccer in Armidale, is not the youngest ever Matilda – that honour belongs to Mary Fowler, who had her international debut at just 15. But she already boasts significant experience at both the club and international level, having been the first-choice goalkeeper for the U-20 and U-23 Matildas, and is in the running to replace legendary goalkeeper Lydia Williams who is retiring.
Sermanni has attempted to balance youth and experience and in-form attacking midfielder Tameka Yallop, 33, again starred on Saturday.
“She’s suddenly taken her game to to a level that I haven’t seen in a very, very long time,” Sermanni said.
With a plethora of big names unavailable, Sermanni made four changes to his team that had beaten Taiwan 3-1 in Melbourne.
Retiring great Polkinghorne – who had a celebration match against Brazil in Brisbane – started her record 169th and final game, while Bryleeh Henry and Leah Davidson made their starting debuts, Lincoln shared her second half debut with Melbourne City midfielder Laura Hughes.
Winonah Heatley started and impressed on the left side of a back-three with her willingness to progress the ball aggressively, while Emily van Egmond (two assists) showcased her creativity.
The wonderful Sharn Freier again demonstrated her daring, unpredictability and explosive speed.
Towering centre-back Tash Prior was composed all night, to go with her imposing presence at set pieces.
“Automatically, now, if I’m sitting down and reassessing at the end of the year, and if I’m looking towards the SheBelieves Cup, there’s much more competition for those 23 spots in the squad than I think there was a few months ago,” Sermanni said.
On her starting debut, Leah Davidson drew first blood, scoring her maiden goal with a terrific header in the sixth minute, before Yallop scored a belting goal five minutes later, then teed up Emily Gielnik in the 40th minute.
Remy Siemsen brilliantly set up Michelle Heyman to score in the 56th minute.
Prior scored her second header in two games in the 73rd minute, and five minutes later Freier lashed home a sixth.
The special moment came in the 64th minute when Polkinghorne departed the field for a final time to a standing ovation, replaced by Jessika Nash.
She hugged Sermanni, who was also in charge when she made her debut in 2006, before heading to the bench.
“I just said to her, ‘can you believe we’re both here?'” Sermanni smiled.
Top image: Lincoln gets the gloves from Makenzie Arnold (Matildas)
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