Hayley Raso’s tidy finish inside the first ten minutes has given Australia a 1-0 lead over Mexico in the first half of their international friendly at Toyota Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.
Raso received the ball at the edge of the 18-yard box before creating enough space for herself to fire home a shot past Mexican goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras at her near post.
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The winger’s goal arrived as the Matildas contend with a high and intense press from Mexico who remain determined to make life extremely uncomfortable for the visitors.
Mexico have had a handful of chances themselves, albeit several have come from distance.
Mexico’s Alexia Delgado was one who had a strike from well outside the box, but her long-range effort was comfortably saved by Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Delgado had another ping from range but it flashed wide of Arnold’s right post in a reminder for the Matildas backline about the threat she poses.
Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson was forced to name a somewhat new-look team amid a mounting casualty ward as Katrina Gorry (ankle), Clare Hunt (foot), Courtney Nevin and Chloe Logarzo (both hip) were all ruled out.
Emily Gielnik also suffered a calf injury in camp, while Aivi Luik, who the coach said was playing the best football of her career, suffered a hamstring strain.
While Gustavsson is confident they will be available for the Olympics, he knows he’ll need a few more tricks up his sleeve in the pursuit of a maiden medal and for games against first the Mexicans in San Antonio and then two home matches against China.
TEAM NEWS
Australia: Arnold; Torpey, Catley, Kennedy, Carpenter; Cooney-Cross, Van Egmond, Fowler; Foord, Heyman, Raso
Mexico: Barreras; Reyes, Ferral, Martinez, Torres; Delgado, Bernal, Reyes; Ovalle, Ordonez, Camberos
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Source Agencies
