The CommBank Young Matildas have kicked off their AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ Qualifiers with a 14-0 win over host nation Tajikistan in Dushanbe.
Head Coach Alex Epakis named a strong side in his first game in charge of the side, with newly capped senior CommBank Matildas, Alexia Apostolakis, captaining the side against Tajikistan.
The side wasted no time in opening the scoring, with Skye Halmarick pouncing on a corner that Tajikistan failed to clear to get her first goal for the Young Matildas.
Halmarick didn't have to wait long to double her tally, getting on the end of Talia Younis' ball just five minutes later to give Australia a two-goal advantage. The newly signed Sydney FC striker completed her hat-trick by the 20th minute, linking up with Maddie Caspers through ball and firing at the defence.
Top Row (From L to R): Talia Younis, Zara Kruger, Tegan Bertolissio, Ilona Melegh (GK), Skye Halmarick, Alexia Apostolakis (C) & Tiana Fuller
Bottom Row (From L to R): India Breier, Madeleine Caspers, Avaani Prakash & Rubi Sullivan
India Breier added her name to the scoresheet just two minutes later, scoring an Olympico - netting directly from a corner kick. Caspers helped Australia to their fifth of the night before the half-hour mark, latching onto a loose ball inside the box and making no mistake from close range.
A perfectly worked corner routine saw Tegan Bertolissio force an own goal from the hosts in the 31st minute to make it 6-0. Hamarick added her fourth of the night just before the interval with a side volley at the near post to give the visitors a 7-0 lead heading into the break.
Epakis made three changes to start the second half, with Sienna Saveska, Amber Luchtmeijer and Maya Lobo entering the game. The CommBank Young Matildas picked up right where they left off to start the second half, with Tiana Fuller getting herself onto the scoresheet with a long-range strike, beating the goalkeeper.
Avaani Prakash got her chance to score her first of the night when she was brought down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. The midfielder made no mistake from 12 yards out to make it 9-0.
Sienna Saveska made an immediate impact coming off the bench, scoring in the 58th minute. Prakash doubled her tally to make it 11-0. Quick goals to Saveska and Luchtmeijer made it 13-0, before Saveska completed her hat-trick in the fourth minute of stoppage time to see out the game 14-0.
Match Details
Australia U-20: 14 (Halmarick 3' 7' 20' 42', Breier 22', Caspers 28', Ochildieva (OG) 31', Fuller 48', Prakash 50' (P) 72', Saveska 58' 82' 90+4' & Luchtmeijer 89'
Tajikistan: 0
Tournament: AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ Qualifiers - Group C
Date: Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Kick-off: 10.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST (Thurs)
Referee: Dong Fangyu (China PR)
Assistant Referees: Xie Lijun (China PR) & Yoon Eunhee (KOR)
Fourth Official: Cha Minji (Korea Republic)
Australia U-20 XI: 1. Ilona Melegh (GK), 3. Tegan Bertolissio, 7. India Breier (23. Amali Kinsella 80'), 9. Skye Halmarick (8. Amber Luchtmeijer 45'), 13. Tiana Fuller, 14. Zara Kruger, 15. Alexia Apostolakis (C), 16. Avaani Prakash, 17. Madeleine Caspers (11. Sienna Saveska 45'), 19. Talia Younis (21. Peta Trimis 72'), 22. Rubi Sullivan (4. Maya Lobo 45')
Substitutes not used: 2. Amela Bennett, 5. Sian Dewey, 6. Milly Boughton, 10. Amelia Cassar, 12. Jasmine Black (GK), 18. Sofia Fante (GK), 20. Caley Tallon-Henniker
Yellow Card: Nil
Red Card: Nil
AFC U-20 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP THAILAND 2026™ QUALIFIERS | GROUP C
Palestine v Australia
Date: Friday, 8 August 2025/ Saturday, 9 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Watch:
Australia v Chinese Taipei
Date: Sunday, 10 August 2025/ Monday, 11 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Watch:
