They call it the dodgy end of town. The Black Bull on Hindley Street was the only place to be for pre-game for the Matildas’ first game of a two-match series against China at Adelaide Oval.

This was billed as a farewell, but for the crowd at this iconic venue, this was a home-coming and the stadium was suitably packed for this Friday night blockbuster.

The players had strolled unhindered through Adelaide earlier in the day on their pre-game walk, the bright sunshine defying the weather forecast that said rain, rain, rain. From our base at the end of Rundle Street, where the cool cats go to finish their night in this increasingly hip city, we could see that the weather forecast was right, and pre-game was spent deciding what quantity of layers would be suitable on this unpredictable night.

The stadium was busy well before kick-off. The precinct had a festival feel, families with young kids making up the majority of the crowd, and with two hours still remaining before the opening whistle, this revered cricket and AFL venue was awash with green and gold.

Memories of the Women’s World Cup are still vivid, and the appearance of Mary Fowler on the big screens prior to the game was greeted with furious screaming from the female-dominant crowd. The countdown could have been the countdown to the launch of a space shuttle – this was a massive event – but as soon as the whistle blew, the crowd was enveloped in a hush, only pierced by the active fans at the scoreboard end.

Cortnee Vine and Fowler combined on the right to prise open the China defence in the opening five minutes.

China let Australia stroll around in defence, stroking the ball around the back-line like the Liverpool teams of the 80s. The Chinese team, clad in all red, looked comfortable in possession and eager to attack when they had the ball. This looked like a game that would be decided by mistakes rather than moments of skill.

Methodical build-up play was interrupted by stray passes, and whenever the ball was turned over, loud screeches were heard from both sets of fans. This was anything but an exhibition game, the pace was as you would expect from a competitive fixture, but when Mackenzie Arnold sat on the floor requiring attention for a non-existent injury, the players all rushed to the sidelines to receive instructions from the whiteboard-yielding Tony Gustavsson.

This was a good test for Australia. An opportunity to come up against a team that was determined to stifle, but more than capable of launching an attack of their own. Vine threatened on the right, but was easily chaperoned as she advanced. The Mexican wave signified the growing disinterest of the crowd, and just as it reached a crescendo, China broke up the right.

Kaitlyn Torpey was fortunate not to concede a penalty, bringing her player down in the area, but play was waved on by the excellent referee and the ball was crossed for Linyan Zhang to sweep home the opening goal.

The script had been ripped up. That’s what you get for doing a Mexican wave. Australia a goal behind and the bumper crowd shocked with only half an hour played. Their noses in front, China looked in control, and this looked like an evening of frustration for the capacity home crowd. Clare Hunt went in on striker Wurigumula, a clash of heads holding up proceedings, but this was an ugly, uninspiring end to the first half, Zhang going close on the counter deep into added time.

This is where Gustavsson earns his corn.

The Matildas Active fans were in great spirits at the break, despite a lack of assistance from the mute fans up on the busy hill, the Black Bull bravado showing no sign of waning.

Substitutions were inevitable. Australia had five substitutes ready to go for five minutes before they were eventually made on the hour. This was a true tournament scenario. We’d seen it before when South Korea frustrated the Matildas in the Asian Cup, and the right changes would hopefully result in the desired reaction on the field. Sure enough, the introduction of the famous five brought the crowd back to life, the European talents of Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Steph Caltey, Hayley Raso and Ellie Carpenter thrust into a scenario where their country needed them.

China though hit the bar almost immediately, albeit after a dubious offside call, and the remainder of the game would not be easy for the home team. Raso took a dive looking for a penalty. China milked free-kicks and continued to look unfazed. Mary Fowler blazed one over when well-placed. Foord was down on the ground, perfect timing for another drinks break for the players to receive the instructions for the final push.

Sharn Freier came on to rapturous applause, Australia using up their final substitution well ahead of time. The noise could well have been for Foord, who went off injured. Australia immediately won a free-kick centrally in range of the China goal. Memories of Alanna Kennedy smashing the winner against China in a vital qualifier at Commbank Stadium were forgotten as she smashed the ball over the bar.

Kennedy fired over from Raso’s knock back from a corner. The Matildas’ passing became sloppy. Ten minutes remained between Australia and a discouraging home defeat against a nation that they were supposed to beat. Michelle Heyman failed to find Raso when well-placed. This game was heading for a home loss, and even the five minutes of added time failed to stir the home team to rescue the game.

In the end, Australia losing at home to China would have been as disappointing as it sounds. Kennedy up front at the end and Cooney-Cross at centre-back showed the desperation from the home team. There were shades of New Zealand in Townsville, and the dramatic finish culminated in an all-in finale with Mackenzie Arnold in the penalty area as Australia prepared a free-kick on the edge of the area.

Fowler whipped in the set-piece and Heyman stabbed home when the ball fell to her on the rebound. The crowd erupted. The Matildas had done it again. Til it’s done is the motto. An incredible rescue, an unconvincing performance and result, but plenty to write home about. We might be watching through our hands during the Olympics, but at least we know that we can pull a rabbit out of a hat in our hour of need.