The CommBank Young Matildas battled forward with a 3-0 victory over Palestine in Dushanbe, marching closer to AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ qualification.
Nine changes were made by Alex Epakis from the XI that defeated Tajikistan just two nights earlier, with the short turnaround providing ample opportunity to expose the entirety of the squad to minutes, while also rewarding the players who shone during a short stint in the first match.
The green and gold started the match on the front foot, with Peta Trimis bundling the ball in after seven minutes with the ball kindly landing at her feet following a superb reflex save by the Palestinian keeper.
Despite the attempted surges forward, the CommBank Young Matildas found it difficult to break down the opposition's low block and target teammates inside the penalty area.
They almost doubled their lead in the 40th minute through Ameila Bennett, with the defender rising highest to match an undefendable whipped cross from Sienna Saveska, with only a desperate parry from the keeper denying Bennett a headed goal late in the half.
The second stanza mirrored the ending of the last, with the hot Tajik conditions and resolute Palestinian defense playing their part in thwarting the Australian attack.
Coach Epakis elected to switch his front line on the hour mark, with Skye Halmarick, four-goal hero from the last match, introduced alongside Amber Luchtmeijer in midfield.
Ironically, it would be the latter that converted the crucial second goal just two minutes after coming on, with Luchtmeijer reacting first inside the box, tapping the ball in from a second deflected save by the goalkeeper that landed at an Australian foot.
Two more changes came immediately after the goal, with Australia now in control and the sweltering heat requiring adjustments to maintain that momentum. Tegan Bertolissio was brought on along with forward Avaani Prakash.
The match would eventually open up in the last 15 minutes and the CommBank Young Matildas would extend their lead further. Maya Lobo rose highest from a corner and expertly guided her header toward the far post and out of the goalkeeper's reach.
One more substitution was made to round out the contest, with India Breier replacing the goalscorer Trimis at the 82nd minute.
The victory was hard-fought and a step-up in quality from the first qualifier, perhaps a sign of things to come for Epakis and his team, as they now prepare for their last match against Chinese Taipei, with an Asian Cup spot on the line.
Palestine U-20: 0
Australia U-20: 3 (Trimis 7', Luchtmiejer 64', Lobo 75')
Tournament: AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ Qualifiers - Group C
Date: Friday, 8 August 2025 (Saturday AEST)
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 12.00am AEST (Saturday)
Australia U-20 XI: 1. Ilona Melegh (GK), 2. Amela Bennett, 4. Maya Lobo, 5. Sian Dewey, 6. Milly Boughton (8. Amber Luchtmeijer 61'), 10. Amelia Cassar (3. Tegan Bertolissio 68'), 11. Sienna Saveska, 20. Caley Tallon-Henniker (C) (9. Skye Halmarick 61'), 21. Peta Trimis (7. India Breier 82'), 22. Rubi Sullivan, 23. Amali Kinsella (16. Avaani Prakash 68')
Unused Substitutes: 12. Jasmine Black (GK), 13. Tiana Fuller, 14. Zara Kruger, 15. Alexia Apostolakis, 17. Madeleine Caspers, 18. Sofia Fante (GK), 19. Talia Younis
Yellow Card: Halmarick 79'
Red Card: Nil
AFC U-20 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP THAILAND 2026™ QUALIFIERS | GROUP C
Australia v Chinese Taipei
Date: Sunday, 10 August 2025/ Monday, 11 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
