Australia vs China Olympic qualifying as it happened: Van Egmond rescues Matildas in injury time

The Matildas did just enough to salvage the all important point against China that sends them top of the group and through to play Vietnam in the play-offs for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Australia will need to be better in those games from a defensive aspect and will need to find some variation to their tactics. The Matildas' home leg against Vietnam will be played in Newcastle next month. 

That's a wrap from me. Thank you for tuning into the live blog of the Matildas 1-1 draw with China at Bankwest Stadium. Stay online for Vince Rugari's report of the match.

"We expected it. We struggled to beat that block, that 4-4-2. They are well drilled. Our girls were excellent. They kept on believing. We deserved to top the group."

"We didn’t have all the solutions. In the end I’m pleased we got the result."

The Matildas heads look up to the sky in relief at the sound of the full-time whistle. A wonderful goal by Emily van Egmond deep into injury time rescued a valuable point for the Matildas that ensures they finish in top spot in the group and play Vietnam in the play-off next month. 

Australia shouldn't get too carried away with this result however, they were second best for much of the match to a disciplined China. It was another case of a tactically astute side picking apart the Matildas strategy. 

Full time: Australia 1-1 China. 

And the Matildas do just that. Emily van Egmond replies with a thunderbolt shot of her own in injury time, rattling the top corner of the net with a powerful effort from the edge of the box. 
Just as the anxiety of the crowd was seeping onto the pitch, van Egmond provides a sense of relief with a wonderful goal that puts Australia back into top spot on the group. 

Australia 1-1 China in injury time. 

China finally have the breakthrough their performance has deserved. Tang Jiali breaks the deadlock emphatically, firing a powerful shot from the edge of the box into the top right corner, leaving Lydia Williams helpless. Unsurprisingly, the goal came about by another counter attack exposed by the Matildas' high defensive line.

 
China take a 1-0 lead in the 87th minute.