A long-range belter from Kyra Cooney-Cross and a header from Clare Hunt have steered the Matildas to their first win over Germany in almost 20 years, the stirring 2-1 triumph keeping alive their unbeaten start under interim boss Tom Sermanni.
The come-from-behind victory on Tuesday morning (AEDT) is Australia’s first against a top 10-ranked opponent since the Women’s World Cup last year, with both Cooney-Cross and Hunt notching their first goals at international level, the latter in her 50th match.
More than 26,000 fans were at the MSV Arena in Duisberg to farewell legendary striker Alexandra Popp, who was making her 144th and final appearance for Germany, and was subbed off to rapturous applause in the 15th minute. By that stage, the hosts were already up 1-0 after Selina Cerci’s fifth-minute strike, and totally dominant across the park.
They should have gone at least 3-0 up, with Felicitaus Rauch hitting the woodwork and Vivien Endemann pulling wide a glorious one-on-one chance just after the half-hour mark – but their wastefulness gave the Matildas a chance to crash the party.
The visitors drew level just before half-time through Cooney-Cross, who spotted German goalkeeper Stina Johannes off her line from deep in Australia’s attacking half and lobbed her from at least 35 metres out – a goal Sermanni rated as one of the best he’s seen as Matildas coach, and said was further evidence of the Arsenal midfielder’s sky-high potential.
Still only 22, Cooney-Cross has reached the 50-cap mark faster than any player in Matildas history besides Caitlin Munoz, falling short of her record by just 20 days.
Kyra Cooney-Cross is mobbed by teammates after her goal.Credit: AP
“That just shows how much quality and ability she has, and vision. It’s a real class goal because she got herself in a position where she could have taken it forward, but she spotted the goalkeeper off the line and finished perfectly,” Sermanni said.
“One of the great goals. She’s got all the qualities of a midfield player that you want at this level: she’s comfortable in possession, she can dribble, she can pass with both feet, she can have long passes, short passes, she’s comfortable on the ball. It’s just a question of her continuing to develop and continuing to mature. She is on her way to being a world-class player.”
Hunt then put them in front in the 77th minute, nodding home a corner kick from stand-in skipper Steph Catley, who returned to the starting line-up as one of two changes made by Sermanni to the team that drew 1-1 with Switzerland at the weekend.
Other highlights for the Matildas included another sparkling performance up front from Caitlin Foord, a better showing from Mary Fowler in a slightly retooled attacking role, and a debut off the bench for defender Winonah Heatley.
The ball sails in off Cooney-Cross’ foot.Credit: AP
“She’s just a complete player. She’s an absolute machine,” Sermanni said of Foord. “Physically, she’s a machine. Football-wise now, she’s strong, tenacious, clever. And she can play anywhere.”
Sermanni was also at the helm on the only other occasion when Australia defeated Germany back in 2005. The two nations last met in Paris, where the Europeans triumphed 3-0 – the first blow in a campaign that saw the Matildas sent packing in the group stage, prompting the exit of coach Tony Gustavsson and leaving players heartbroken and down on confidence.
While Australia had just 27 per cent of possession, and the Germans outshot them 20 to six, the character displayed throughout the match pleased Sermanni, harking back to the Matildas’ never-say-die mantra that was built under him many years ago.
“I think it restores confidence again. It restores confidence in individual players. It restores confidence in the team, and it brings that belief back,” he said.
Clare Hunt wheels away after scoring Australia’s second goal.Credit: Getty Images for Football Australia
“And it wasn’t just so much about the result tonight because Germany are a fabulous side, and we were under some considerable pressure. But I think the great thing is that we showed that character and that determination because we feel we’ve got footballers who can play good football.
“We didn’t get an opportunity to play an awful lot of good football, but we hung in, and we showed a great deal of determination and drive.”
Sermanni isn’t sure if he’ll be asked back to coach the Matildas in their next games – they face Brazil on November 28 and December 1, and then Chinese Taipei on December 4 and 7, with all matches to be played in Australia – but given the timeframes involved, he suspects he will be.
“There’s not been any discussion. I honestly don’t know,” he said.
“I would suggest with them coming up fairly quickly, unless the FA have someone physically ready to go and ready to come into place now, I would suggest it would be more than likely that I’ll still be in charge for the next window.”
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