The Australian Women's Futsal Team have been defeated 3-1 by Uzbekistan in the second group stage game of the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2025™.
The result is means that their chances of advancing from their group and into the quarter-finals hang in the balance. The top three teams at the tournament qualify for the first ever FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup™ later this year.
In order to qualify from the group, Australia will have to defeat Chinese Taipei by a significant margin and hope that they finish as one of the best third-place teams.
Head Coach Miles Downie made one change to the starting five from their opening match against China PR. First game goal scorer Alexia Karrys-Stahl came in while Jessica Au moved to start on the bench.
Australia were the team on the front foot early. Daisy Arrowsmith's shot in the fourth minute forced a good save, as did Marianna Tabain's strike in the sixth.
Goalkeeper Jessica McLean is somewhat of a set-piece specialist on this side and came close from a direct free kick in the eighth minute of play.
Daisy Arrowsmith was the player who eventually broke the deadlock. After a barnstorming run down Australia's left-hand side, the Sydneysider rifled a shot into the back of the net and gave Australia the lead.
Claudia Fruscalzo came very close to doubling the lead, firing a shot into the post after a smart turn just outside the penalty area.
Uzbekistan were a constant threat on the counterattack. They sat deep, waiting for Australia to advance, and looked to win the ball in the centre of the court before advancing quickly.
It was in this way that they equalised in the 14th minute. Amirova Guldoza finished well from the edge of the area. Her shot was off the back of some good work from Vokhidova Madina, who took advantage of Australia's disorganised defence by making a pass back from the byline.
The teams went into half-time at 1-1, and Australia came out after the break with renewed vigour. They came out quickly, looking to take the lead.
Despite their best efforts, it would be Uzbekistan who struck first. Valikhanova Omina managed to somehow scramble the ball over the line after Australian confusion at the back. It was the first time in the game that Uzbekistan took the lead.
Their lead would extend to two when Tosheva Shodiya poked home, and suddenly, it was Uzbekistan who were in command.
Australia threw everything at scoring another goal as the game wound to a close. Amy Barker had arguably the best chance for Australia of the half when her shot was saved by Polyushkevich in Uzbekistan's goal.
However, the game management of Uzbekistan and their disciplined defence proved too difficult to break down, and the Australians were defeated.
Match Summary
Australia: 1 (Arrowsmith 11')
Uzbekistan: 3 (Guldoza 14', Omina 25', Shodiya 28')
Australia: 1. Sarah Easthope (GK), 2. Gisella Pipino, 3. Estelle Fragale, 4. Alexia Karrys-Stahl, 5. Jessica McLean (GK), 6. Amy Barker, 7. Jessica Au, 8. Daisy Arrowsmith, 9. Marianna Tabain, 10. Trudy Camilleri (C), 11. Halle Smit, 12. Zoee Spadano, 13. Meaghan McElligott, 14. Claudia Fruscalzo.
Next Game:
Chinese Taipei v Australia
Date: Saturday, 10 May 2025
Kick-off: 5.00pm (Local)/7.00pm (AEST)
Venue: Hohhot Sports Centre, China
