The new-look Matildas recorded their first win under coach Chris Tanzey with tonight's 3-0 result over a physical Czech Republic in the second round of Australia Cup matches at Bob Jane Stadium, Melbourne.
The send off of Czech midfielder Marie Tlachova in the 23rd minute marked a significant turn in the game after a bright attacking start from the lower ranked Europeans. Tlachova was marched for two yellow card tackles executed within eight minutes of each other against Heather Garriock.
Five minutes into her debut international, Matildas keeper Leanne Trimboli rescued her side with a magnificent flying save to deny a Katerina Doskova drive after a defensive mishap.
Australia looked unsteady for the opening stanza in the Melbourne heat, the send off helping to settle their game, although they were unable to adjust and take full advantage of the extra player. Although dominating possession from thereon and creating a few chances, still no goals seperated the teams at half time.
Not long into the second half, the Matildas finally settled into a pattern, a neat move brought back for offside after Kelly Golebiowski had found the target. Immediately after in the 59th minute, striker Katrina Boyd was felled just outside the box. Defender Anissa Tann-Darby stepped up and curled the resulting direct free kick around a suspect Czech wall into the top left corner of the net to give Australia a most welcome lead.
The Matildas doubled their lead in the very next minute, a poor Czech clearance falling straight to unmarked substitute Julie Murray for a simple conversion from 14 metres. Australia sealed the match late in proceedings with goal three, Danielle Small providing another penetrating ball for teammate Sharon Black to slot home after drawing the keeper.
"The send off made it easier - for a while anyway," admitted Australian coach Chris Tanzey. "Although, having said that, when pressing an opposition that has tem players, they fight that bit harder. Until you get that first goal, frustration can set in and it's important to be patient. We managed to fix a few things at half time. We were a bit more patient, used tha ball quicker and got people ahead of the ball. These are still very early days for us, this is only our 4th international together. We're still finding our feet."