Manchester pair impress for Australia in Olympic Game preparations

Olympic rings Paris, 23 September

Two Manchester footballers were in the spotlight as they competed for Australia in the lead up to the Olympics in Paris later this year.

Manchester City players Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy both started as Australia continued their Olympic Games preparations against China.

The two nations played out a 1-1 draw in Adelaide and there was little between the teams again for this meeting.

Played at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, the Matildas largely dominated the first period, with both Fowler and Kennedy seeing shots blocked.

Former City forward Hayley Raso was a constant threat to the Chinese defence, but couldn’t find an opening in an attritional and goalless first 45.

Australia came out of the blocks racing in the second period, scoring two goals in eight minutes to settle the contest.

Just three minutes after the re-start, Clare Wheeler headed home Steph Catley’s cross to make it 1-0.

And the dangerous Raso doubled the Matildas’ lead on 56 with a smart left-foot finish.

China responded well, dominating much of the time that remained but there was to be no further scoring.

Fowler played the full 90 minutes while Kennedy was replaced on 87.


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