Halmarick's Hat-Trick Heroics Thrill Against India

CommBank Young Matildas forward Skye Halmarick said that she was "very pleased" with her performance in the team's 5-0 victory over India at the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup 2026™.

Halmarick's three goals meant that she finished the game leading the Golden Boot standings in the tournament, with five in total after two games.

The result helped Australia secure a place in the quarter-finals ahead of the final group stage game against Japan.

"I'm very pleased," she said, when asked about her own performance.

"I think the performance as a group today was good. The substitutes today made a huge difference. It's the exact step we want to take going towards Japan (in the) next game."

The 18-year-old opened the scoring in the first half from the penalty spot. She explained her simple approach to lining up a shot from 12 yards.

"I haven't taken [a penalty] in a while, probably a year or so," she said.

"The best thing with the penalty, you just want to lock in where you want to go before, and then you just hit it."

After scoring, she ran to the corner - where her teammates were warming up - and celebrated with a choreographed dance.

"Lex [Alexia Apostolakis] is always trying to get me to do that dance," she laughed.

"I can't do it by myself, so I need the team with me! That was a good moment with the team."

India presented a different challenge from that of Chinese Taipei on matchday one. They were fast and quick in transition, which meant that space could open up in behind Australia's defence if they weren't careful.

Halmarick explained what they'd worked on pregame to counter those threats.

"We recognised their strengths in the video before the game," she explained.

"Their transition, we had to really lock on to that. I think we managed it well in the game, and I think we took our chances really well, which helped us."

She said that the team would take a lot of confidence out of their performance as they prepare to face off with Japan in the final group stage game.

"We take a lot of confidence [out of the wins]," she said.

"Being in form in front of goal obviously helps, but I'm just super excited for the challenge, and I can't wait to face an opposition like that."

AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup 2026™