The Australian Women's Futsal National Team have come from behind to qualify for the AFC Futsal Women's Asian Cup 2025™ after a tense 3-1 victory over home side Uzbekistan.
Jessica McLean scored a penalty before a brace to Nikkita Fazzari sealed the result.
The match was a fascinating tactical battle from the beginning. Australia controlled possession and the general flow of play, but Uzbekistan were incredibly dangerous in transition.
Lyudmila Karachik - a player that CommBank Matildas fans would be familiar with from the AFC Olympic Qualifiers - was the star for her side, dictating proceedings and kick-starting attacking sequences.
Goalkeeper Sarah Easthope was called into action early, making a fantastic save to prevent Karachik from opening the scoring.
However, Uzbekistan would soon find the breakthrough. Zumratjon Nazarova tucked home a tidy finish at the back post after another counter-attack, giving the home side an early lead.
Australia looked to hit back. Trudy Camilleri had an effort from close range that required a good save, and Daisy Arrowsmith hit the side netting from a tight angle. Despite their best efforts, however, they went into half-time behind.
Miles Downie's side came out firing in the second half. Their pressure told within minutes. Goalkeeper Jessica McLean was substituted on as a set piece specialist after Australia won a penalty, and she delivered. Her shot low and to her right was too powerful for the goalkeeper and made it 1-1.
Nikkita Fazzari gave Australia the lead five minutes of play later. She was able to control the ball as it came to her at speed, her first touch sitting up nicely for her to smash a volley into the back of the net. It was a goal of immense quality that gave her team a well-deserved advantage.
Australia continued applying the pressure. Fazzari had a fantastic opportunity to double the advantage with four and a half minutes to go, when Uzbekistan activated the power-play and did not have a goalkeeper between the sticks, but hit the post.
She would eventually score the third - and seal the result, and qualification - with around 15 seconds of play remaining, picking up the ball after Uzbekistan had overextended in search of the equalizer and passing the ball into an open net.
Australia will take on the Philippines on Sunday knowing that qualification for the AFC Futsal Women's Asian Cup 2025™ is secure.
Match Summary
Australia: 3 (Jessica McLean 23', Nikkita Fazzari 28', 40')
Kuwait: 1 (Zumratjon Nazarova 5')
NEXT MATCHES:
Philippines v Australia
When: Sunday, 19 January 2025, 3.00 pm Local (9.00 pm AEDT)
Where: Yunusobod Sports Complex, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
