WAIS athlete Katie Gill has become the Matildas’ all-time goal scoring record holder after her brace in Australia’s 3-1 win over Jordan at the Asian Cup saw her eclipse Cheryl Salisbury’s mark (38) and move to the top of the list with 40 goals for her country.
In what is proving a highly successful tournament for the reigning champions, the Matildas completed their group stage with a 2-0 win over hosts Vietnam to secure a semi-final clash with Korea, and automatic qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup tournament in Canada.
Having opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw with world champion Japan, the Australians put themselves on track for the semi-finals with a confident 3-1 win over Jordan that saw Gill move into outright position as Australia’s leading goal scorer.
Gill opened the scoring in the 36th minute, heading home a Kim Carroll cross, before doubling her and her country’s tally, six minutes after the half-time interval, finishing off a cross from former WAIS scholarship holder Sam Kerr.
The 3-1 result meant Australia could guarantee its position at next year’s World Cup with a victory over Vietnam, which it achieved courtesy of a hard-fought 2-0 win on Sunday night.
An own-goal followed by a 90th minute sealer from Katrina Gorry booked the Matildas a place in the semi-finals and a ticket to next year’s showpiece for women’s football.
Interim coach Alen Stajcic stated after the match that one of his side’s three objectives had been realised.
“The three objectives coming in were to qualify for the World Cup, win the Asian Cup and improving our football. I thought the first game (against Japan) was good, I thought the second game and tonight there were just small passages of play that were good so there is plenty of room for improvement going into the Semi Final,” he said.
The Matildas face Korea Republic on Thursday night at 6.45pm Perth time in their semi-final, with a win taking the group into a second consecutive Asian Cup final.
