Shay Hollman has helped the Young Matildas move to their second victory of the AFC U20s Women’s Asian Cup with a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan on Wednesday night.
Having sat on the bench against Korea Republic and coming on for the last minute, Hollman started in the midfield and was given the full 90 minutes against the hosts and she was instrumental across the match, picking up the player of the match award for her efforts.
As ever, Shay was humble in picking up the award and gave full credit to her team-mates.
“It’s an honour. It’s always nice when you go out to play for Australia and after being on the bench for the first game I have been training really hard to try and get into the starting line and I’m thankful for the coaching staff to give me that opportunity.
“I was really excited for my first start in this tournament but overall I am stoked that the girls got the three points as we put a really good shift in,” Hollman said.
Last time out against the South Koreans, most of the pitch was covered in ankle deep snow which forced the Australians to change their style of play with passing almost out of the equation.
This time, with a pitch covered in grass, the Aussies were able to zip the passes around and raced out to an early lead through Daniela Galic before doubling their advantage later in the half through Peta Trimis.
Hollman was involved in the build up to that goal and barring a collapse against Chinese Taipei on Saturday night, the Young Matildas will book their ticket for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup held in Colombia later this year.
“We came here to qualify for the U20 World Cup and we’re right on track for that at the moment.
“We will keep training hard and hopefully put in another big shift next game ,” Hollman added.
“We adapted really well today to go back to our normal game style, trying to get bits of one two combinations and just really play how we want to play, with goals being scored.”
Maddie Caspers also started this match in the midfield and fired an early half volley toward goal but couldn’t find a way past the Uzbekistan keeper.
Jynaya Dos Santos saw her first minutes of the tournament when she was introduced in the 67th minute for Maddie Caspers while Zara Kruger, Indiana Dos Santos and Tahlia Franco were unused substitutes.
The six Sydney FC girls and the rest of the Young Matildas will now take on Chinese Taipei on Saturday night, kicking off at 7pm AEDT with the action broadcast live on 10Play. The Australians will now have to avoid a 7-0 defeat to Chinese Taipei and they will have booked their World Cup ticket.
Australia Line Up: 1. Chloe LINCOLN (gk), 5. Jessika NASH (c) (2. Tijan MCKENNA 46’), 6. Shay HOLLMAN, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Daniela GALIC (9. Jynaya DOS SANTOS 68’), 13. Peta TRIMIS (7. Milly BOUGHTON 46’), 15. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 17. Maddie CASPERS (22. Georgia CASSIDY 68’), 19. Lara GOOCH, 21. Naomi CHINNAMA, 23. Sasha GROVE (3. Tegan BERTOLISSIO 75’)
Subs not used: 4. Gemma FERRIS, 11. Kahli JOHNSON, 12. Tahlia FRANCO (gk), 14. Zara KRUGER, 16. Claudia CICCO, 18. Grace WILSON (gk), 20. Indiana DOS SANTOS
Yellow card: Nash 34’
Red card: Nil
