Key Points
- The Matildas defeated Iran 2-0 in Perth.
- Super sub Sam Kerr came off the bench to seal the result.
- It brings the Matildas one step closer to qualifying for the Olympics.
Super sub Sam Kerr came off the bench to score the clincher in front of her hometown fans in the Matildas' rusty 2-0 Olympic qualifier win over Iran in Perth on Thursday night.
Ellie Carpenter opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Kerr sealed the deal with a 78th-minute tap-in in front of 18,798 fans at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson warned on the eve of the match that he wouldn't be throwing his jet-lagged stars into the deep end, and a glimpse at the bench proved those words to be true.
Kerr, Mackenzie Arnold, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Hayley Raso, Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler all started on the bench.
With the scoreline still just 1-0 at the 65-minute mark in a match Australia were predicted to win easily, Gustavsson brought on Kerr, Catley and Fowler in a triple substitution.
The move worked a charm, with the trio joining forces to create Australia's second goal.
Ellie Carpenter celebrates scoring the opening goal against Iran. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright
Foord, Raso, Arnold and Gorry were among the unused substitutes in a match Australia dominated.
"Mixed feelings," Gustavsson said of the win.
"This might have been one of the most challenging preparations I've had with this team. Very little prep time, a lot of jet lag.
"I do think we were rusty tonight. Normally our conversion rate is much better.
"We could have scored five or six goals considering what we created."
The Matildas enjoyed 82 per cent possession in the first half, and a neat run down the right from Cortnee Vine helped set up the opener.
Vine's cross made its way to Charlotte Grant, who passed it off to Carpenter to rifle the ball home for just her fourth goal in 70 appearances for Australia.
Carpenter almost had a second in the 31st minute when she was played in and only had the goalkeeper to beat, but her shot from an angle was well wide of the target.
Iran's players did their best to waste time whenever the chance arose.
Negin Zandi (right) of Iran and Clare Polkinghorne of Australia in action in Perth. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright
The star Chelsea striker fired a 72nd-minute strike over the crossbar, but she made no mistake from her tap-in six minutes later.
Kerr had a golden chance to score again in the 93rd minute, but she couldn't keep her strike low enough.
In the earlier match, the Philippines came from behind to post a 4-1 win over Taiwan, firing them to the top of the group.
Yi-yun Hsu opened the scoring for Taiwan in the 47th minute as the underdogs dreamed of an upset.
But a double to Sarina Bolden and goals to Katrina Guillou and Chandler McDaniel meant it ended up being an easy win for the Philippines.
The Matildas face off against the Philippines at a sold-out Perth Stadium on Sunday, before returning to Perth Rectangular Stadium next Wednesday to face Taiwan.
Australia must finish on top of their group to guarantee passage through to the final round of Olympic qualifying in February.
