Australia’s Under-17 Women took a huge step towards qualification for the AFC Under-17 Women’s Asian Cup after a 22-0 demolition of the Northern Mariana Islands on Monday (13 October 2025).
Striker Izabella Rako was clinical on her debut for the CommBank Junior Matildas coming away with a four-goal haul and player-of-the-match honours at Bishan Stadium.
“Going into the game, I was pretty excited, but also had some nerves. I was just focused on getting the job done and scoring as many goals as I could. And I’m really proud of all the girls. We had some great combinations and great goals. So credit to all of them,” said the Melbourne City player.
“(Scoring four goals) was something I probably wouldn’t have imagined. And to play the full 90 minutes, I was super grateful for that. The goals were great team goals; a couple of them came from crosses, cutbacks. So without the girls giving me those assists, I wouldn’t have been able to score those goals,” she added.
Australia Head Coach Michael Cooper was effusive in his praise across the board.
“Playing your international football debut is not easy. So I thought Izabella applied herself really well and stuck to the game plan. The players created opportunities, but she was in the right places at the right times. She performed really well,” Cooper said. “We wanted to control and dominate the ball, which we did.
“The main focus for us was the final third, and we had some pleasing moments and combinations there for us,” he added.
It was a baptism of fire for the girls from the Northern Mariana Islands, they were pinned in their own half for most of the proceedings, with all of Australia’s outfield starters getting their names on the scoresheet.
Sydney FC midfielder Claire Corbett opened the scoring in just the second minute, before Izabella got two goals in quick succession after the Northern Mariana defence struggled to clear their lines.
The Australians capitalised on their physical advantage over their opponents as defender Rubi Sullivan was able to overcome pressure from the defence and head past Northern Mariana keeper Hailey Benavente.
In the 28th minute, Izabella rose highest at the farpost to round off her hat-trick.
The Australians, who are targeting an eighth appearance at the Asian Cup Finals, hit double figures by first-half stoppage time through strikes from captain Theodora Mouithys, Keira Sarris, Abbie Puckett, Sienna Calvanese and Sakura Leong.
And the second half continued in the same fashion with substitutes Maeve Nicholas (two goals), Tyra Bagiante (two) and Leyla Hussein also finding the back of the net.
Izabella got her fourth of the night in the 51st minute, while defenders Willa Pearson and Hayley Muir (two goals) also chipped in.
Hayley, who plies her trade for Western Sydney Wanderers, showcased some fancy footwork with a mazey run down the right flank and scored her second goal from an acute angle in the 88th minute.
Debutant Sienna added two more to her tally to complete her hat-trick while Northern Mariana defender Orica George mistakenly turned the ball into her own net in the 50th minute.
Northern Mariana Islands head coach Koo Luam Khen reflected on his side’s heavy defeat, saying, “We expected our opponents to be at this level. The team worked very, very hard… We took them here to show them how football should be played and to give them this knowledge.”
The Malaysian also commended the bravery of his goalkeeper, Hailey.
He said: “Our keeper did very well today. We just came here to try, and let them learn what football is outside of Saipan.”
Australia are set for their second and final qualifier against Singapore on Friday (17 Oct), while the Northern Mariana Islands will face the hosts on Wednesday (15 Oct).
Ahead of Friday’s crunch qualifier, Cooper said, “We’re going to have a rest day tomorrow and just refresh our minds and bodies. We’ll see what Singapore is like during their game on Wednesday. And then get the players ready.
“But this is youth football, we’re going to focus on ourselves, and we’re going to try and perform well.”
