China vs Australia: The Semi-Final Game That Had a Nation Holding Its Breath
- therookiereporters
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Another Perth game saw the Matildas returning to Optus Stadium, the venue that hadn’t been played in since the opening ceremony. The 60,000-person stadium was full of green and gold, but saw plenty of red and yellow as well, during one of the most tense matches so far in the tournament. This was Perth’s goodbye to the Matildas and everyone was hoping for a celebratory one.
The action didn’t take long to begin with a yellow card for China’s Yao Wei just 7 minutes in. 10 minutes later, and Arsenal and Aussie hero, Caitlin Foord, scored the first goal, sending the crowd into a roar of cheers, screams and celebrations.
A yellow card for Matilda’s goalie, Mackenzie Arnold, had the team on edge before China were awarded a penalty. Zhang Liyan stood up to the job and completed it without hesitation, evening the score.
The 35th minute saw China’s Wang Aifang awarded a yellow card, putting China at two yellows and Australia at one.
After the half-time break, gameplay continued with the same tense, skillful back and forth we’ve seen so much of this tournament.
The 58th minute gave Australia an opportunity, and they took it. A goal for Sam Kerr in her hometown had the stands exploding with cheers and screams as she took it all in, watching closely. Ellie Carpenter, who knew what the fans were capable of, waved her hands high to keep the cheers going as play resumed.
Jin Kun was substituted on for China, followed by a wave of substitutions, Li Qingtong, Lui Jing for China and Clare Wheeler and Amy Sayer for Australia.
An 87th-minute double substitution for China brought Wang Linlin and Yuan Cong onto the pitch for new energy. Wu Haiyan was awarded a yellow card in the 87th minute, bringing China’s total yellow cards to three for the game.
In the 3rd minute of injury time, Charlize Rule and Emily Van Egmond were substituted on for the final push.
China refused to give up as they continued to push for a goal with some nervously close attempts. As the final whistle was blown, Australia ended on top in the hometown of their captain.
Huge celebrations were heard throughout and outside the stadium, and even as China watched their dreams of a finals spot disappear, they were able to have pride in how far they had come in the tournament, and rest easy with the fact that they have earned a World Cup position.
Huge day for the Matildas as they prepare for the finals, where they will face either South Korea, whom they had played before and ended on a 3-3 draw, or Japan, the tournament favourites. Their home country advantage has been huge, and as has been noted by many players, they can only hope it gives them the final push they need for the Sydney-hosted final.
Article written by Milla Sinfield
