Australia Advances to AFC Olympic Qualifying Playoff Round

The Australian women’s national team advanced to the playoff of the 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Thursday, Feb 13. Reign FC’s Steph Catley and Lydia Williams each made two appearances for the Matildas in the group stage.

Australia finished first in Group B, having defeated Chinese Taipei 7-0 and Thailand 6-0. The Matildas rounded group play with a 1-1 draw against China on Thursday, claiming the top spot on goal differential.

Catley and Williams each played the full 90 minutes against China and Chinese Taipei, with Catley scoring Australia’s third goal against the latter. Williams made seven saves across her 180 minutes, conceding one goal.

The Matildas will host Vietnam in the first of a two-match aggregate playoff on Friday, March 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia. The return leg will be played in Vietnam on Wednesday, March 11.