The Young Matildas kicked off their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup campaign in Uzbekistan on Sunday night against Korea Republic in unconventional circumstances, to put it kindly.
Australia and Korea Republic were met with testing conditions after snow blanketed the field, with an attempt made to clear at least parts of the pitch for the players from both teams.
Although the best that could be managed was just the sides and sections of the centre circle, with players left to make futile attempts to pass the ball which instead continually got stuck in the snow.
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The weather conditions in Tashkent weren’t necessarily unexpected with Amy Sayer, who plays club football for Kristianstads DFF in Sweden, explaining to the Matildas’ official website before the game how cold climate — and potentially snow — could impact play.
“It takes a lot of mental fortitude to push through that [the weather],” she said.
“There will be some differences in how the ball rolls, how the field feels to us.
“But I think that the strength of this team is so great. We can really push through any condition, whether it’s two feet of snow or whatever else Uzbekistan might throw at us.”
Australia last played Korea Republic in the most recent edition of the tournament, going down 9-1, and trailed 1-0 at halftime on Sunday evening after a goal from Jeon Yu-gyeong.
But they fought back brilliantly after the break, with Peta Trimis levelling the scores in the 73rd minute before a 90th minute winner from Naomi Chinnama.
It leaves the Aussies top of the group before matches with Uzbekistan and Taiwan.
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