A player-of-the-match performance from City defender Alanna Kennedy wasn’t enough to help the Westfield Matildas reach the Algarve Cup final despite defeating China PR 2-0 in their final group match in Portugal.
Only days after being shortlisted for the FIFPro 2017 Women’s World XI, defender Kennedy was a rock in defence to register a second consecutive clean sheet, while goals from Sam Kerr and Chloe Logarzo saw the Matildas’ emerge triumphant after a strong second-half performance.
Results earlier in the day meant Australia had to win by at least four goals in order to make the final and despite a plethora of chances, Alen Stajcic’s side were unable to convert enough of them to drag themselves across the line.
City striker Larissa Crummer also featured for the entire 90 minutes for the Matildas, who will now play hosts Portugal in the playoff for third and fourth.
