The Matildas have swept the second round of their Olympic qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory over Chinese Taipei, with a date with 50th-ranked Uzbekistan set for February to book their ticket to Paris 2024.
After beating Iran 2-0, followed by a spectacular 8-0 demolition of the Philippines in front of a record crowd on Sunday, their third straight win meant Australia finished on top of Group A with a perfect nine points from nine and a goal difference of plus-13.
To qualify for the Olympics, the Matildas must now beat Uzbekistan in a two-legged home-and-away play-off in February to secure one of the two spots given to Asian confederation teams.
Australia, North Korea and Japan secured their places among the final four in Asia by topping the three groups, with Uzbekistan joining them as the best-placed runner-up thanks to a 3-0 win over India.
Australia and world number eight Japan were both perfect in round two, but the Matildas' goal difference ensured they were the top qualifier.
In front of 19,084 fans on Wednesday night, it took until the 62nd minute for Australia to open the scoring — but it was worth the wait.
Mary Fowler trapped a floated pass and took one more touch before unleashing a powerful strike from 20 metres out to send the crowd wild.
Six minutes later, hometown hero Sam Kerr scored the Matildas' 900th goal from point-blank range to keep the ball rolling, before substitute Tameka Yallop sealed the deal in the 76th minute.
With goal difference pivotal, the Matildas unleashed a near full-strength starting XI against Chinese Taipei featuring Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Fowler, Mackenzie Arnold and Steph Catley.
But despite registering 17 shots to one in the first half and enjoying 79 per cent possession, the Matildas couldn't find a way past their opposition's staunch defence.
Fowler came the closest in the 14th minute, but her powerful shot from close range rattled the woodwork and deflected away.
Stand-out Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-Yu pulled off a series of strong saves to further frustrate the Matildas.
But Australia had only themselves to blame on other occasions, firing a series of shots either wide or over the target.
Kerr had a golden chance to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time, but her header at the far post went over the crossbar.
The Chelsea striker also fluffed a chance early in the second half when a poor first touch cost her what would have been a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper.
But there was no stopping Fowler's thunderous strike in the 62nd minute.
And when a goal-mouth scramble ensued shortly after, Kerr was on hand to score the tap-in.
Kerr was subbed off straight after the goal, but Yallop ensured the party continued with an easy finish following good lead-in work from Foord and Amy Sayer.
In the other match in Perth on Wednesday, the Philippines beat Iran 1-0 courtesy of a 19th minute goal from Tahnai Annis.
Check out how the match unfolded below with our blog.
Live updates
Update
Another great game from the Tillies! I reckon it was only a standout performance from Ssu-Yu that killed my 6-0 prediction. Her, Fowler and Foord were best on ground for me. Onwards to the Olympics!
- Ari
Update
Thanks Sam. Want a good thing for this weekend? Canberra United to pull a great crowd and win at McKellar on Saturday.
- Mark
Update
The RFS group up Glen Innes says - you go girls - no we must sleep So
- Dazza
Update
Thanks for another cracking blog Sam, good to see the tillies get it sorted after a frustrating 1st half. It would have been fitting to see Caitlin Foord hit the back of the net - she is my favourite Matilda....
- Mike
Update
Hope you can keep the Matildas content coming through in between matches Samantha. Love your work!
- stumcin
Update
Good value Taiwan take a bow, thank you! Well done Matildas, thank you too! Huh, no injuries, thumbs up.
- Big Ben
Final thoughts
And with that, the Matildas fly through to the third round of Olympic qualifying after a blistering second-half performance against Chinese Taipei.
A glorious goal to Mary Fowler broke the deadlock, with Sam Kerr and Tameka Yallop adding to the damage as Australia finally crashed through an admirable opposition defence, highlighted by a stand-out performance from goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-Yu.
This is the final game the Matildas will play at home this year, and what a year it has been. These three sell-out games in Perth cap off a truly magical rise for the team in 2023, peaking with their Women's World Cup run. Their impact will ripple through generations to come.
So what's next for the team? A pair of friendlies against Canada in December, before returning to action in February in the third round of Olympic qualifying where they'll face one of Asia's stronger sides in a home-and-away series. Win that final leg and they're through to Paris in July, where they have unfinished business after just missing out on a medal in Tokyo.
And as always, I'll be there to take you through it all.
Thank you so much for joining me tonight for our live coverage of Australia v Chinese Taipei. You're all legends for staying up so late, and I'm thrilled we got a fantastic second-half performance from the team to make tomorrow's bleary-eyed workday worth it.
Take care and I'll see you all soon!
Vic is two predictions from two!
Tim Tam slam for me 💚💛😜
- Vic in Vic
Quick, go and buy a lottery ticket, Vic!
Full-time: Australia 3 - 0 Chinese Taipei
Update
How good has Cheng Ssu-yu been in goal today, without a doubt the Chinese Taipei equivalent of Mackenzie Arnold with a lot of potential going into the future.
- Adam
92' Australia keep on coming
We want four! They want four!
Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Mary Fowler are all still hungry, swimming around the box as they search for a sealer.
The ball falls to Fowler, who's on an absolute tear, opening her body up and thumping the rubber.
I fully expected it to fly into the net - as did most of the crowd based on the "ooh"s - but it goes just wide of the post.
Update
Loving the game, but wish we were hearing someone who could chant in tune on the microphone 😂
- Anonymous
Update
I have not supported cricket since the disgraceful display in South Africa. Thank you, Matildas for your sportsmanship and transparency. Ethics matter.
- Mark Wilson
Update
Can Chen Ssu-Yu get some player of the game award even if Matildas win? Easily the hardest worker on the field and hasn’t let up.
- Ryan
Update
Cheng Ssu-Yu has played goalie so well, the 3-0 score line doesn’t reflect her massive contribution to defense. Aussie teams should be competing to sign her up
- Linda
5 minutes of added time
You and all of us, Tony!
I will sleep better now. phew! Thanks for the coverage Sam. Cheers
- Tony
Glad the Tillies could put on a show for ya in the second half.
I will sleep soundly knowing that we've got at least another ten years of Mary Fowler. And she's already this good. Golly.
And the Player of the Match goes to...
Crowd number: 19,084
Woohoo!
That's three sell-outs for the past three games, taking the sell-out streak for the Matildas to 11 consecutive games.
Sensational work, Perth. We should bring games there more often.
84' Yallop almost has another!
A gorgeous floating cross from Amy Sayer on the right wing is looking for the head of Tameka Yallop, who made an immediate impact off the bench a few minutes ago.
The ball is floating in that in-between space where a single inch can determine who gets it, with Yallop and Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-Yu both throwing themselves up into the sky to connect with it.
The goalkeeper's gloves reach the ball first, but Yallop's momentum carries her into the keeper and clatters her into the grass.
She's up a few moments later, taking a few sips of water. She's been absolutely epic this game, and I recall the comments from her head coach Chan Hiu Ming yesterday, asking Australian A-League Women clubs to keep an eye on some of his players to potentially give them some opportunities.
Well, there's someone who's put her gloved hand up tonight.