AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024-Australia 2-0 Uzbekistan

Tashkent: Australia edged closer to the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 after easily securing a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan at JAR Stadium on Wednesday.
Their second win in Group A means that Australia have a three-point lead over Korea Republic and Chinese Taipei, with the top two spots guaranteed tickets to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.

Australia attacked with intent from the first blow of the referee's whistle, forcing Uzbekistan goalkeeper Fotima Bakhriddinova into making a good save from Madeleine Casper’s shot.

The respite, however, was temporary as after a couple of failed clearances, the ball eventually found its way to Peta Trimis who laid it on for Daniela Galic, who had the time and space to turn before slotting home past a stranded Bakhriddinova.

The Young Matildas continued to assert their dominance, creating opportunities but Gali and Lara Gooch both failed to find the target from good shooting positions inside the box.

The pressure finally paid off for Australia with seven minutes remaining in the first half, Trimis took down a long pass, glided past Sevinch Kuchkorova before finding the bottom corner to give her side a comfortable lead at half time.

A mistake from Aygerim Otenazarova at the start of the second half almost gifted Australia their third when her miskick went straight to Galic, however, the Australian forward skewed her shot wide from close range.

Uzbekistan did improve after that, forcing Australia to go on the back foot through the direct running of Leyla Rustullaeva and Zarina Mamatkarinova, though custodian Chloe Lincoln remained largely untroubled.

Australia reduced their intensity towards the end but still managed to fashion two more chances, substitute Georgia Cassidy almost catching Bakhriddinova out at her near post then Alana Murphy ballooned a shot over from inside the box but the score remained until the final whistle.

Australia only need to avoid defeat against Chinese Taipei on Saturday to confirm top spot while already eliminated Uzbekistan will aim to conclude their campaign on a high note against Korea Republic.