Second half goals give Australia healthy advantage over Uzbekistan

Tashkent: Australia turned on the power in the second half to defeat Uzbekistan 3-0 in the first leg of their Round 3 of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024™ Asian Qualifiers tie at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Saturday.
Denied by a resilient Uzbekistan in the opening 45 minutes, Australia found their scoring boots in the second half to take a huge step towards the Paris Olympic Games, with the return leg to be played on Wednesday.
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Australia were missing Sam Kerr with 23-year-old defender Kaitlyn Torpey making her international debut as a makeshift forward on the left wing.

Tony Gustavvson’s side were quicker to settle with Step Catley forcing Uzbekistan to concede a corner in the second minute, before setting up Alanna Kennedy, who could not get her header on target.
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At the other end, Feruza Boboxojayeva struck a long distance effort in the fifth minute high above the bar.

Mary Fowler was at the forefront of Australia’s attacks, showing brilliance in the 13th minute when she gained possession following a poor Uzbekistan pass before unleashing a low drive from the top of the box which forced Maftuna Jonimqulova into a save.
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Kaitlyn Torpey should have scored in the 20th minute when Hayley Raso sent a dangerous ball into the box which Emily Van Egmond let run for the San Diego Wave defender who, however, botched her effort.

Australia wasted another chance in the 31st minute when Jonimqulova deflected Hayley Raso’s shot onto the path of van Edmond, who sliced her volley over the bar.
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Australia should have taken the lead a minute into the second half but custodian Jonimqulova denied Kyra Cooney-Cross’ shot from outside the box.

Australia then wasted another golden opportunity at the hour mark when Fowler dribbled down the left flank before sending a cross to Van Egmond, who struck her close range effort over the bar.
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The Matildas’ patience was finally rewarded in the 73rd minute when substitute Michelle Heyman rose highest to nod Catley's corner at the near post, with the ball hitting Sevinch Kuchkorova before settling in the back of the net.

Uzbekistan fell further behind in the 84th minute with Fowler waltzing her way through the Uzbekistan defenders before striking a low effort past Jonimqulova.

Caitlin Foord then confirmed the win with four minutes left in the game when she headed the ball into the back off the net off Catley’s cross from the left.