The Junior Matildas got their AFC U-16 Women's Championship 2019 qualifiers off to a fine start with an 11-0 win over Palestine.
A hat-trick to Nia Stamatopoulos along with doubles from Georgia Beaumont, Isabella Wallhead and Anna Hunt helped Australia to victory in their opening match.
It was the second match for Palestine of the round one qualifiers after they went down to Indonesia on Saturday 3-2.
The last time Palestine and the Junior Matildas faced each other was during qualification for the 2017 tournament when Australia scored 28 goals.
Junior Matildas opened the scoring early in the match as BRFC/NTC player Georgia Beaumont scored after a shot hit the crossbar.
Stamatopoulos extended their lead nine minutes later with a stunning free-kick which bent it like Beckham from the top of the 18-yard-box.
11' GOAL! Nia Stamatopoulos extends the lead with a inch perfect free kick #AFCU16W pic.twitter.com/zwVUIcgxIW
— The Women's Game (@TheWomensGame) September 17, 2018
As Palestine tried to build an attack, it broke down when Aseel Abudayyeh fell awkwardly and was stretched from the field with a possible knee injury.
Australia continued to show they were dangerous with the ball outside the box when Alana Jancevski let a powerful shot go. However, the Junior Matildas weren't finished for the half as Stamatopoulos finished off a first half hat-trick.
Palestine didn't have a shot on target in the first half and this continued into the second half.
The Junior Matildas came back from the break raring to go but Palestine was able to keep them at bay for the opening 12 minutes and once Australia scored the pressure piled on.
57' GOAL! Isabella Wallhead opens the scoring in the second half#AFCU16W pic.twitter.com/5HeS9Gk17N
— The Women's Game (@TheWomensGame) September 17, 2018
Australia has a number of chances but were unable to convert but Beaumont and Wallhead both bagged doubles.
However, their ninth goal of the match came with confusion after it appeared the Palestinian goalkeeper fumbled the ball over the line. Charlie Farmer celebrated knowing the ball went in and the referee gave the goal quickly while Palestine tried to protest.
88' GOAL! Confusion in the goal as it crosses the line. It's awarded to Charlie Farmer#AFCU16W pic.twitter.com/nCDSToNdOW
— The Women's Game (@TheWomensGame) September 17, 2018
Two minutes later Anna Hunt found her first goal with a beautiful cross into the box and found her second not long after with a tap in.
The Junior Matildas sit in second in Group D behind Indonesia, who played their second game last night and secured a 3-0 win against Kyrgyz Republic.
The Junior Matildas will take the field again on Wednesday as they face Indonesia from 5pm AEST.
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