The CommBank Junior Matildas have come from behind to draw 1-1 with Chile in their opening game of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Charlotte Bradshaw’s second-half goal earned the side their first-ever point in their first game at the tournament.
Head Coach Mike Cooper named an exciting young side for the first game of the tournament. Willa Pearson wore the captain’s armband in the centre of defence, while Leyla Hussein and Kaya Jugovic were up top in a front two.
Australia were close from a corner in the first minute, but a sliding Keira Sarris at the back post was not able to tuck it away.
Chile grew into the half and began having the better of the chances. Dali Gorr Burchmore in goals was forced to make a number of saves, including a particularly impressive one-on-one dive in the 13th minute, before Hussein came close up the other end.
It was from a corner that Chile found the breakthrough. A great run from Kiara Concha at the back post opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and the teams went into the sheds with Chile in the lead.
The first changes came in the 56th minute. Charlotte Bradshaw and Tahya Aspland were introduced, replacing Keira Sarris and Hayley Muir.
The changes paid off. Australia found the equaliser through Bradshaw. She converted Sakura Leong’s dangerous cross, sliding in at the back post to score a historic first-ever goal for Australia.
Two more substitutes came in the latter stages of the game. Jada Taylor replaced Leyla Hussein in the 79th minute, before Matilda Dias Wadewitz came on for Kaya Jugovic to help see the game out.
While both sides had chances to win it, Chile came closest. Gorr Burchmore pulled off a fantastic save in stoppage time to deny Catalina Munoz and keep a hold of the point.
The CommBank Junior Matildas will take on Spain in the next group stage game as they look to build on a World Cup of firsts for the U-17 side.
Match Summary
Australia: 1 (Bradshaw 63′)
Chile: 1 (Concha 33′)
Australia: 18. Dali Gorr Burchmore (GK), 2. Willa Pearson, 4. Keira Sarris (3. Charlotte Bradshaw 56′), 6. Frida Karaberis, 7. Claire Corbett, 8. Kaya Jugovic (11. Matilda Dias Wadewitz 88′), 13. Maeve Nicholas, 10. Leyla Hussein (14. Jada Taylor 79′), 20. Sakura Leong, 21. Hayley Muir (16. Tehya Aspland 56′)
Unused substitutes: 1. Annabelle Croll (GK), 12. Alysa Oppedisano (GK), 5. Abbie Puckett, 9. Sienna Calvanese, 17. Mary Dal Broi, 19. Harper Pell
