The CommBank Junior Matildas picked up a hard-fought point in the second game of their AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026™ campaign in Suzhou, being held to a 1-1 draw by Lebanon.
A goal from Theo Mouithys Mickalad in the first half was cancelled out by Lebanon's equaliser from Sara Karnib in the second half to see Australia pick up a point in their second group stage game of the tournament.
Head Coach Michael Cooper made three changes to the side that recorded a 2-0 win over India in the opening game, with Frida Karaberis, Izabella Rako & Jada Taylor coming into the Starting XI for Australia.
Theo Mouithys Mickalad broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark. Keira Sarris played a beautiful ball over the top to find Mouithys Mickalad, making a run behind the defensive line, who chipped it over the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Cooper made three changes to start the second half, looking to build on the lead, with Kaya Jugovic, Maeve Nicholas, and Leyla Hussain entering the game.
Sara Karnib came off the bench for Lebanon and found the back of the net within 3 minutes of entering the game, Yara Geitani playing a defence-splitting pass to find Karnib, who squeezed her attempt in at the near post.
Despite some promising chances to find the match-winner, Australia had to settle for a point in their second game of the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026™.
Attention turns towards their final group stage game against Japan on Friday night, looking to advance to the knockout stages.
Match Summary
Lebanon U-17: 1 (Sara Karnib 39')
Australia U-17: 1 (Theo Mouithys Mickalad 30')
Australia U-17: 18. Dali Gorr Burchmore, 2. Willa Pearson (C), 3. Charlotte Bradshaw, 4. Keira Sarris (13. Maeve Nicholas 46'), 6. Frida Karaberis (8. Kaya Jugovic 46'), 7. Claire Corbett, 9. Izabella Rako (10. Leyla Hussain 46'), 14. Jada Taylor (15. Tyra Bagiante 77'), 16. Tehya Aspland, 20. Sakura Leong, 21. Theo Mouithys Mickalad
Unused substitutes: 1. Annabelle Croll (GK), 5. Liana Luong, 11. Matilda Dias Wadewitz, 12. Alyse Oppedisano (GK), 17. Mary Dal Broi, 19. Harper Pell, 23. Abbie Puckett
Lebanon U-17: 1. Marie Joe Chebly (GK), 2. Yasmina Nassar, 3. Christina Chebly, 4. Joya Bou Assaf, 5. Gia Frangieh (C), 6. Gaelle Abou Malhab (8. Sara Karnib 56'), 9. Sara Issa (11. Yasmin El Habbal (90+1'), 10. Yara Geitani, 16. Marita Chebly, 17. Anabel Zihenni (7. Calina Osman 85'), 19. Avy Douaihy
Unused substitutes: 12. Yara Abi Fadel, 13. Rama Kharroubi, 14. Zahra Asaad, 15. Layane Kalkas, 18. Angy Boustany, 20. Esraa Hamzeh, 21. Rama Moghrabi, 22. Ghinwa Karam (GK), 23. Nourhan Rafeh (GK)
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026
CommBank Junior Matildas 2:0 India
Date: Saturday, 2 May 2026
Venue: Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre
Lebanon 1:1 CommBank Junior Matildas
Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Kick-off: 3.30pm local/5:30pm AEST
Venue: Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre
Watch Here
Japan v CommBank Junior Matildas
Date: Friday, 8 May 2026
Kick-off: 3.30pm local/5:30pm AEST
Venue: Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre
Watch Here
