Ten years in 10 minutes: Matildas' Asian Cup win over the Philippines was a return to the past and a glimpse of the future

Courtney Nevin squints into the harsh Mumbai sun, turning the sticky ball over in her hands. Matildas teammate Remy Siemsen scuttles in front of a defender as she makes a move towards the sideline, her body shaped like a cupped hand to receive the throw-in.

But Nevin's throw is just too high. Siemsen hurriedly springs into the air, the ball skimming off her head and looping over the pack before finally falling to the feet of a Philippines player.

The young striker immediately spins and begins the press. She's quickly joined by midfielder Mary Fowler, who helps Siemsen squeeze the opposition defenders into a tired, panicked clearance.

The pass is intercepted by Kyra Cooney-Cross, and the field comes alive again. The dark green turf is criss-crossed with streaks of yellow and white as the players buzz around, spaces opening and closing, opportunities appearing and disappearing within seconds.

With the ball at her feet, Cooney-Cross drives past two Filipino defenders and into the penalty area.

Winger Cortnee Vine is on a parallel line on the opposite side of the field, wrestling her defender while charging towards goal. Holly McNamara is stationed near the top corner of the 18-yard box, ready for the recycled cut-back. Fowler slices in-field and makes for the top of the zone, her shoulders and hips poised for a first-time strike.

All these possible futures are laid out in an instant; all these potential paths forward drawn in the air.

But none of them eventuate. Cooney-Cross is quickly shadowed by a Filipino defender, who forces the young Matilda into a speculative cross that drifts out of play.

It's the 81st minute of Australia's second group game of the Asian Cup. The tournament favourites are leading 3-0. On the surface, this