Rebecca Jones scored a hat-trick in her international debut to lead the CommBank ParaMatildas to a dominant 5-0 victory over Japan in their opening match of the 2024 IFCPF Women's World Cup.
In a dream start to her international career, Jones scored with her first touch, leaving the Japanese defenders unable to contain her powerful right foot. The match was a closely contested battle until Jones' introduction at the start of the second half, which ignited a flurry of goals and secured Australia's win.
Despite early concerns about heavy rain, the skies cleared in time for the ParaMatildas' opening game - the eighth competitive clash between Australia and Japan. Australia quickly opened the scoring when World Cup debutant Annmarie De Uriarte beat the goalkeeper to slot the ball into the bottom right corner.
Japan rallied, creating a series of close chances, but neither team could gain control.
That changed in the second half, as Jones marked her arrival with a decisive goal seconds after kick-off, sparking the scoring spree for the Australians.
Eloise Northam added another goal just two minutes managing to sneak the ball into the net despite a host of defenders surrounding her.
Jones continued to pressure Japan's defence, earning a penalty that Australian goalkeeper and captain Katelyn Smith converted with precision. With the lead secure, CommBank ParaMatildas Head Coach Kelly Stirton awarded Carly Salmon with her World Cup debut, and 17-year-old Trinity McPhie with her international debut.
McPhie and Salmon brought plenty of energy into the contest as the minutes ticked away but there was nothing Japan could do to threaten Australia's goal as the side cruised home with a comfortable 5-0 victory.
The CommBank ParaMatildas will now face the USA at 2.15pm CET (12.15am) on Saturday 16 November in their second match of the IFCPF Women's World Cup.
Match Summary
Australia: 6 (8. Annmarie De Uriarte 4', 4. Rebecca Jones 25', 7. Eloise Northam 27', 6. Katelyn Smith 33', 4. Rebecca Jones 42', 4. Rebecca Jones 43')
Japan: 0
Australia: 6. Katelyn Smith (C), 3. Tahlia Blanshard (4. Rebecca Jones 25', 9. Rae Anderson 48'), 7. Eloise Northam, 8. Annmarie De Uriate (2. Trinity McPhie 48'), 10. Georgia Beikoff (1. Carly Salmon (C) 42').
Substitutes not used: 5. Lainee Harrison
Japan: 2. Saki Kuroki (C), 4. Marai Toyoda (3. Ayumi Takemura 38', 9. Kiona Kimura 49'), 6. Mai Ohta, 7. Miyabi Hamada, 8. Mayuko Kaiga (5. Rie Ishihara 48')
Substitutes not used:
