Latest news with #CharliGrant
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Huge surprise as Matildas score by accident against Argentina
Kahli Johnson made her international debut one to remember, scoring the opening goal as the Matildas beat Argentina in Melbourne on Friday night. Australia's 21-year-old Sydneysider was their leading light during a slow-burn first half and duly broke the deadlock with a guided header after 38 minutes at Marvel Stadium. The Calgary attacker, who had been tracking for the A-League golden boot before her January switch to Canada's Northern Super League from Western United, had earmarked the maiden call-up as a learning opportunity. Instead, it was her delivering a lesson in flawless forward play. Interim head coach Tom Sermanni has described Johnson's play style as old-fashioned, and her textbook, guided header to net Charli Grant's pinpoint cross, having peeled off the opposition's defensive line, was a tried and tested route to goal. Less conventional, but worth just as much, was Australia's second 21 minutes from time. Everyone, including Argentina's second-choice goalkeeper Abigaíl Chaves, had lost interest in Kaitlyn Torpey's miscued cross, only for its unexpected trajectory to spiral into the far corner. It was obvious from Torpey's stunned expression that she did not intend for her fortuitous strike to float so perfectly into the net. 'Shock and surprise and delight for Kaitlin Torpey,' Network 10 commentator Teo Pellizzeri said. 'Almost apologetic, but the Matildas lead 2-0.' It's all right on the left Positive beginnings from two-time international Jamilla Rankin and new Matilda Johnson suggest a bright future. The latter delivered dangerously in the sixth minute for Holly McNamara, who swept over, before dispossessing Catalina Roggerone in an advanced area to cross 60 seconds later, only for there to be no teammate arriving. Johnson then displayed some tactical flexibility when picking up dangerous positions centrally, being perfectly placed to strike. Rankin, meanwhile, looked assured at left-back and was part of a solid, albeit rarely tested, rearguard action that earned goalkeeper Teagan Micah a third successive clean sheet. The shotstopper is in the shop window after two years light on consistent game time for Liverpool. UEFA Women's Champions League winners held back Although forecast, Arsenal's Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross being unused substitutes will have pained the younger portions of the 43,002-strong crowd, desperate to see their heroes. Especially as those in attendance had chosen the round ball over Collingwood-Hawthorn's AFL bout across town at the MCG. Tom Sermanni milestone His 150th game in charge of the Matildas could be his penultimate, with Melburnian Joe Montemurro hotly tipped to bid French giants Lyon farewell and take on his first national team gig. Coming next A rematch against Argentina - ranked 33rd in the world and participants at the last two Women's World Cups - takes place in Canberra on Monday night, and the group's less-established names, including Johnson, will be eager to clock more time in Tillies colours as the jostling for selection at next March's home AFC Asian Women's Cup begins to heat up. This opportunity, followed up by two more doubleheaders against Slovenia (38th) and Panama (57th) in Western Australia this winter, holds greater significance given the absence of multiple international heavyweights. Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Katrina Gorry, Hayley Raso, and Mackenzie Arnold, all unavailable for this window, boast 545 caps. Friday's starting XI totalled 438, with Emily Van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy accounting for 293 of these.
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
New Matildas star Kahli Johnson scores on debut in win over Argentina
Debutant Kahli Johnson has shone as an inexperienced Matildas line-up claimed a 2-0 win over Argentina to ensure Tom Sermanni's 150th game at the helm proved a happy one. Johnson headed home a wonderful cross from Charli Grant in the 38th minute in front of 43,020 fans at Marvel Stadium, and won't care that she appeared clearly offside. Australia doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Kaitlyn Torpey shanked a cross into the top corner. Interim boss Sermanni, who has coached the Matildas across three stints, appears likely to finish up after Monday night's second game in Canberra. Joe Montemurro is widely expected to take on the full-time job after the current international window. The Matildas' starting line-up had just 438 combined caps heading into the game - with Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy claiming 293 of them. Captain Steph Catley and Arsenal teammates Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross didn't play after arriving in camp on Wednesday night following their Women's Champions League triumph. Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry and Mackenzie Arnold aren't in the current squad, while Mary Fowler remains sidelined with a knee injury. But Australia still had 16 shots (six on target) to six, while Argentina didn't register a shot on target until the 80th minute. Johnson, who had scored three goals in six games for Calgary Wild in Canada's Northern Super League, was among Australia's best, impressing with her deft footwork and strength on the ball. Six minutes into the match, Johnson burst down the left and cut the ball inside for Holly McNamara, who couldn't keep her shot down. Another six minutes later, McNamara latched onto a cross from Charli Grant but couldn't turn her volley on target. In the 15th minute, Florencia Bonsegunda cracked a long-range strike over the bar - which would prove Argentina's only shot for the half. The Matildas struck in the 38th minute when Grant burst down the right flank and curled a superb cross to the back post for Johnson to head home. Replays showed the attacker was offside but there is no VAR in friendlies. Johnson turned her defender then whipped a long-range effort just wide in the 49th minute. McNamara couldn't keep a speculative shot down in the 61st, while she forced Argentina goalkeeper Chaves into a save four minutes later. Torpey scored when she attempted to launch a cross into the area but didn't hit it cleanly, and watched on in disbelief as it nestled in the goal. Chaves made a good save to deny Wheeler at the near post in the 72nd minute and the Matildas couldn't find a third goal.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Debutant's goal helps Matildas past Argentina
Debutant Kahli Johnson has shone as an inexperienced Matildas line-up claimed a 2-0 win over Argentina to ensure Tom Sermanni's 150th game at the helm proved a happy one. Johnson headed home a wonderful cross from Charli Grant in the 38th minute in front of 43,020 fans at Marvel Stadium, and won't care that she appeared clearly offside. Australia doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Kaitlyn Torpey shanked a cross into the top corner. Interim boss Sermanni, who has coached the Matildas across three stints, appears likely to finish up after Monday night's second game in Canberra. Joe Montemurro is widely expected to take on the full-time job after the current international window. The Matildas' starting line-up had just 438 combined caps heading into the game - with Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy claiming 293 of them. Captain Steph Catley and Arsenal teammates Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross didn't play after arriving in camp on Wednesday night following their Women's Champions League triumph. Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry and Mackenzie Arnold aren't in the current squad. But Australia still had 16 shots (six on target) to six, while Argentina didn't register a shot on target until the 80th minute. Johnson, who had scored three goals in six games for Calgary Wild in Canada's Northern Super League, was among Australia's best, impressing with her deft footwork and strength on the ball. Six minutes into the match, Johnson burst down the left and cut the ball inside for Holly McNamara, who couldn't keep her shot down. Another six minutes later, McNamara latched onto a cross from Charli Grant but couldn't turn her volley on target. In the 15th minute, Florencia Bonsegunda cracked a long-range strike over the bar - which would prove Argentina's only shot for the half. The Matildas struck in the 38th minute when Grant burst down the right flank and curled a superb cross to the back post for Johnson to head home. Replays showed the attacker was offside but there is no VAR in friendlies. Johnson turned her defender then whipped a long-range effort just wide in the 49th minute. McNamara couldn't keep a speculative shot down in the 61st, while she forced Argentina goalkeeper Chaves into a save four minutes later. Torpey scored when she attempted to launch a cross into the area but didn't hit it cleanly, and watched on in disbelief as it nestled in the goal. Chaves made a good save to deny Wheeler at the near post in the 72nd minute and the Matildas couldn't find a third goal.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Debutant's goal helps Matildas past Argentina
Debutant Kahli Johnson has shone as an inexperienced Matildas line-up claimed a 2-0 win over Argentina to ensure Tom Sermanni's 150th game at the helm proved a happy one. Johnson headed home a wonderful cross from Charli Grant in the 38th minute in front of 43,020 fans at Marvel Stadium, and won't care that she appeared clearly offside. Australia doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Kaitlyn Torpey shanked a cross into the top corner. Interim boss Sermanni, who has coached the Matildas across three stints, appears likely to finish up after Monday night's second game in Canberra. Joe Montemurro is widely expected to take on the full-time job after the current international window. The Matildas' starting line-up had just 438 combined caps heading into the game - with Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy claiming 293 of them. Captain Steph Catley and Arsenal teammates Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross didn't play after arriving in camp on Wednesday night following their Women's Champions League triumph. Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry and Mackenzie Arnold aren't in the current squad. But Australia still had 16 shots (six on target) to six, while Argentina didn't register a shot on target until the 80th minute. Johnson, who had scored three goals in six games for Calgary Wild in Canada's Northern Super League, was among Australia's best, impressing with her deft footwork and strength on the ball. Six minutes into the match, Johnson burst down the left and cut the ball inside for Holly McNamara, who couldn't keep her shot down. Another six minutes later, McNamara latched onto a cross from Charli Grant but couldn't turn her volley on target. In the 15th minute, Florencia Bonsegunda cracked a long-range strike over the bar - which would prove Argentina's only shot for the half. The Matildas struck in the 38th minute when Grant burst down the right flank and curled a superb cross to the back post for Johnson to head home. Replays showed the attacker was offside but there is no VAR in friendlies. Johnson turned her defender then whipped a long-range effort just wide in the 49th minute. McNamara couldn't keep a speculative shot down in the 61st, while she forced Argentina goalkeeper Chaves into a save four minutes later. Torpey scored when she attempted to launch a cross into the area but didn't hit it cleanly, and watched on in disbelief as it nestled in the goal. Chaves made a good save to deny Wheeler at the near post in the 72nd minute and the Matildas couldn't find a third goal.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It's just not good enough': Matildas coach demands more resources for women's soccer
The Matildas' longest-serving coach compared the state of the domestic league to Canada's new Northern Super League, where the base salary for women's soccer players was double that of Australia's, despite not commanding the same level of talent. Loading 'We are still trying to produce players when we have a space of three months where the club has got no contact, no control, [and] no reference point for the players to actually keep them and know what's happening,' Sermanni said, pointing to the 25-week-long contracts the league offered. 'So we really need to have, at a league level, a real rethink.' Defender Charli Grant compared her experience playing in the A-League to her time with English Super League club Tottenham Hotspur, and said the difference in resources was 'mind-blowing'. 'You want Australia to be better and push for those facilities, [and] those resources, because having them there every day at Tottenham, it helps you become a better player, having so many different people that you can go to for different areas of the game,' Grant said. 'And you can only imagine what that would do for Australia if they were given the same resources.' The A-League Women's competition is made up of 12 teams, including a standalone Canberra side. Expansion club Auckland FC are committed to fielding a women's team in 2025-2026, and their men's side debuted this season. The A-Leagues declined to comment on Sermanni's call to action, but noted that the Asian Football Confederation ranked Australia at the top of its women's club competition rankings for this season. That ranking was fuelled by Melbourne City's run to the AFC women's Champions League final, where they lost to China's Wuhan FC on penalties. Australia's clubs accrued 97.662 points to finish ahead of Korea's on 75.852, and Japan's on 74.800. The Matildas have called up 22 players from nine clubs within the local league this season. Loading Sermanni said on Thursday Arsenal trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross were unlikely to start Friday's friendly after only landing in Melbourne on Wednesday night, following their UEFA women's Champions League triumph on the weekend. Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr are out with ACL injuries – though Sermanni said the captain was getting much closer to returning to the side – and vice captain Ellie Carpenter and midfielder Katrina Gorry were also granted personal leave.
