Michelle Heyman bags stunning hat-trick on return from Matildas retirement as Australia all-but seal place at Paris Olympics
- Michelle Heyman scored a hat-trick for Australia on Wednesday evening
- The 35-year-old veteran was handed a shock recall from the Matildas squad
- Matildas is about to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris
Michelle Heyman has put to rest any doubts about possible ring rust with a spectacular return to the Matildas, scoring a quick-fire hat-trick against Uzbekistan.
The Australians, who had a 3-0 lead from their first leg against their Asian rivals, scored five goals in just over 20 minutes but confirmed their place in the Paris Olympics barring the most unlikely turnaround.
And Heyman played a major role in her team’s stunning start to the game. The 35-year-old scored for the Uzbeks in the fourth, eighth and 16th minutes after they conceded an own goal in the opening minute of the match.
It marked a sensational return to the international squad for Heyman, who had earned a shock recall to Tony Gustavsson’s squad after retiring from the Matildas in May 2019.
Kaitlyn Torpey added a fifth in the 22nd minute before Manchester City star Mary Fowler and Arsenal striker Caitlin Foord were in action before half-time.
Heyman scored on her return to the team in the 3-0 first leg win last week, heading home from Steph Catley’s corner in the 72nd minute, and picked up where she left off at the Marvel Stadium on Wednesday evening.
“To play for my country again, to score a goal, it’s a dream come true,” Heyman said after the first-leg win.
‘This is what I wanted and I’m so happy I made it happen. It’s a very nice feeling.’
More to follow.
Michelle Heyman scored a hat-trick for the Matildas within sixteen minutes
The 35-year-old veteran was handed a shock recall from Tony Gustavsson’s side
