Matildas secure clean sweep over Mexico

The Matildas have secured a clean sweep of their three-match series against Mexico following a comprehensive 4-0 win today in Melbourne.

Strikers Caitlin Munoz and Sarah Walsh proved to be a handful throughout the match for the Mexican defence with the duo sharing all four goals. Munoz grabbed her first hat-trick for the Matildas while Walsh also got on the scoresheet in the match played at Anderson Reserve, Port Melbourne.

The Australian team improved with each match in the series and after coming from behind to win 2-1 at the MCG last Thursday, the second match saw a one-sided scoreline with the Matildas winning 3-0 at Bob Jane Stadium.

Australia dominated lengthy periods of the first half in today’s match but it took until the final minute of the first half for the deadlock to be broken with Mexican goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar spilling a Joanne Peters cross which Munoz pounced on to score.

Monica Ocampo, who scored the only Mexican goal of the series was again the focal point in attack but Matildas captain Cheryl Salisbury and fellow defenders had her measure, meaning Australian goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri was rarely troubled.

Within moments of the start of the second half, Walsh forced an error in the Mexican defence with Munoz capitalising by beating Tajonor with a well-taken shot that demoralised the visitors and gave the Matildas a 2-0 lead.

Next it was Munoz’s turn to be provider who, after rounding several defenders released Walsh who slotted home into the left-hand corner of the net all but sealing the result.

Australia surged forward looking for a fourth and Munoz, who was proving a constant menace for the Mexican defence, eventually grabbed her third on 75 minutes, scoring from a tight angle courtesy of a deflection off Tajonar.

“Again I was very pleased with the performance and the way in which we stuck to our task throughout the 90 minutes,” said Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.

“The Mexicans worked very hard in the first half but we matched that and with two quick goals either side of the break we really started to dominate.”

“Perhaps what was most pleasing aspect was that we maintained our concentration and momentum throughout all three matches which is not easy especially late in the match when fatigue is setting in.”

Sermanni also had praise for Canberran Munoz who had only previously scored one goal for the Matildas.

“It is a great achievement to score three in any match, let alone an international match, and Caitlin showed a real strikers instinct out there today,” he said.

“Caitlin hasn’t had too many starting appearances for the team but today she has made a strong statement, which can only be healthy for competition in the squad.

“All strikers got on the scoresheet in the series and we now have an excellent blend of strikers competing for starting positions.”

For her part the 22-year-old Munoz preferred to largely focus on the team’s performance rather than her individual performance.

"I thought the team the team played really well,” she said.

“We stuck in there, and put it in harder than the Mexicans. It was good to get a couple of goals as well.

"It's awesome to have a series win like that. We're all really fit at the moment and I think the Mexicans did die out a little bit late in the matches and that's when our fitness really kicked in."

The Matildas will travel to Shanghai mid next month for a two match series against China before the Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup kicks off in Adelaide in late July.

It will be the first time Australia have hosted an Asian tournament since joining the AFC on January 1 this year, with the tournament doubling as qualifiers for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Game 3:
Today, Anderson Reserve, Port Melbourne

Australia 4 (Caitlin Munoz 44’, 46’, 75, Sarah Walsh 60’) defeated Mexico 0.

Matildas: Melissa Barbieri (gk); Heather Garriock, Cheryl Salisbury (Di Alagich h/t), Karla Reuter (Thea Slatyer 60’), Rhian Davies (Kate McShea h/t), Lana Harch (Sally Shipard 60’), Alicia Ferguson, Jo Peters (c), Kate Gill, Caitlin Munoz (Lisa de Vanna 76’), Sarah Walsh (Jo Burgess 72’).

Cautions: Nil.

Related Article:

Matildas claim series win over Mexico (Sun May 28)