A 3-0 win over Argentina has seen Australia claim the Cup of Nations title at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Two first half goals from captain Sam Kerr and defender Alanna Kennedy gave Australia a comfortable lead before Caitlin Foord sealed the result with a late penalty.
Foord’s penalty celebration included a special tribute to former Matildas defender Caitlin Cooper whose father Jeff had died earlier in the week. The Matildas wore black armbands in solidarity.
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Needing a win or a draw to capture the Cup of Nations, the Matildas started strongly with Kerr opening the scoring just four minutes in.
The striker nodded home a trademark header off an Emily Gielnik corner to give Australia a 1-0 lead.
Another textbook corner delivery saw Kennedy double Australia’s lead in the 33rd minute when she headed home Elise Kellond-Knight’s cross.
Argentina provided some resistance in the second half with Lydia Williams needing two strong punches to deny Soledad Jaimes.
Then it was vice captain Steph Catley’s turn to deny the dangerous Jaimes when she produced a stellar last-ditch tackle inside the penalty area.
Australia withstood the challenge and a late tackle on Catley in added time saw Foord step up and dispatch a penalty.
The result was enough to claim the trophy ahead of Korea Republic who had finished their tournament with a 2-0 win over New Zealand earlier that afternoon.
Australia will turn their attention to an April international against the United States as they enter their next phase of FIFA Women’s World Cup preparations.
MATCH DETAILS
Australia 3 (Kerr 4′, Kennedy 33′, Foord 90+4’p)
Argentina 0
AAMI Park, Melbourne
6 March 2019
Kick off: 6.00pm
