This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Emily Van Egmond Goal Helps Matildas Draw With China

A Curling, Swirling Thing Of Extreme Beauty And Awesomeness
|
Open Image Modal
Channel 7

The Matildas just keep on delivering memorable moments in the Asia group Olympic qualifying tournament.

Their latest trick: a beautiful curling, swirling goal by midfielder Emily van Egmond to secure a 1-1 draw in their match with China overnight.

Just look at it.

This was the last match of an extremely important and successful tournament for our national women's football team. Just two of six top Asian teams would qualify for the 12-team Rio Olympics tournament, with each team playing each other once.

Australia started the tournament brilliantly, beating Japan 3-1 and sparking some rather wild celebrations on the team bus.

They remained unbeaten throughout, sparking even more enthusiastic outpourings of emotion, aided by -- what else? -- a dash of Peter Allen.

Coming into Wednesday night's match, the result was important. Australia was playing China, who had also qualified for Rio. The two teams were well ahead of the pack. But you know what they say in sport. Pride was on the line here, people. And with the Matildas 1-0 down with just six minutes to play, van Egmond did this.

It was one of those shots that had to be perfect, and was. This was a one-touch thing of beauty which viciously curled away from the Chinese keeper. Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaalllllll!

Open Image Modal

The goal meant that Australia topped the qualifying table, and will no doubt serve as one of those little confidence-boosting moments which bonds a tight-knit team even closer.

Van Egmond is a skilful midfielder from Newcastle in NSW who at just 22, has already plied her trade at home, in Denmark, the USA and (her current base of) Germany. If you'd like to know a little more about her, here's a thing she did with her former US club a couple of years ago. Spoiler alert: she's into puppies and Justin Bieber.

-- This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.