Australia register first win at AFC U16 Womens Championships

A double strike by Adriana Jones has helped guide Australia to their first victory at the AFC U16 Womens Championship, winning 4-0 against Thailand.

A double strike by Adriana Jones has helped guide Australia to their first victory at the AFC U16 Womens Championship, winning 4-0 against Thailand.

Jones opened the Australian account just on 21 minutes, after a sweet build up involving captain Alisha Bass and Breanna Sampson.

After receiving a forward pass from Bass, Jones- first touch allowed her to turn sharply off her defender and with only the Thai goalkeeper to beat, calmly slotted home her first goal for the day from close range. Jones- second arrived in the 83rd minute, when she struck a first time shot after a cross from Sampson, leaving Kittiya Aryuwong in goals no chance.

Both the Westfield National U17 Womens and Thailand entered the game winless and goal-less. Playing for national pride, Australia dominated possession throughout the match against a much physically smaller Thai side compared to previous opposition.

Australia-s first strike on goal arrived in the 6th minute, after pressure was placed high up the field on the Thai defence. Vasinee Pakthongchai lost possession after struggling to play out from the back, however, Sampson-s shot was well wide of the target.

Two minutes later, after a counter attack down Australia-s right wing, the Westfield National U17-s Women won the first corner for the match, and could have gone one up. Bass-s well struck delivery was almost met by an advancing Emma Checker, after the ball had sailed over goalkeeper Aryuwong.

Thailand-s first moment to score arrived in the 14th minute after a defensive error by the Australians allowed Pattha Srikapa to run with the ball towards Shamiran Khamis- goal.

A fast-recovering Lucy Metcalfe tackled well inside the Australian defensive 18 yard box, resulting in the first corner for Thailand. Six minutes later, Thailand almost snatched the opening goal against the run of play after another defensive lapse by the Australian defence. A long Thai free kick was poorly cleared and fell invitingly for Alisa Rukpinij, only to be denied by the goalkeeping brilliance of Khamis.

In the first half, Australia-s midfield consisting of Alisha Bass, Olivia Price and Lauren Brown worked well together controlling the tempo and flow of the game. Bass was the instigator in crafting Australia-s first goal in the 21st minute after her vision found Jones forward of play.

Stepping out on to the field for the second half, a determined Australia were looking to extend their lead. From the onset, the Westfield National U17 Women once again controlled and dominated possession and continued to do so for the remainder of the half.

Australia-s persistence paid dividends in the 62nd minute when a 20 yard looping shot by Brown found the back of the net. Two minutes later, Australia made it 3-0 after a Sampson cracker curled neatly around the Thai goalkeeper from the edge of the 18 yard box. Once again Australia piled on the pressure from a poorly executed Thai goal kick, with Sampson winning the ball, easily flying past two Thai defenders, and with her left foot, bent the ball into the side netting.

Australia capped off an impressive display when the match sealer was finished off by Jones in the 83rd minute.

The Westfield National U17 Womens will complete their campaign against the might of the Japanese, who today were crowned AFC U16 Women-s Champions after defeating Korea Republic 3-0.

In today-s other result, DPR Korea overcome hosts China P.R 1-0.

Match Details Westfield National U17 Womens 4 (Jones 21- & 83-, Brown 62-, Sampson 64-) Thailand 0 Olympic Sport Center Stadium, Nanjing, China Thursday 10 November 2011 Referee: Ri Hong SIL (DPR Korea) Assistant Referees: Lee Seul GI (Korea Republic) & Khasanova LILIIA (Kyrgyzstan) Fourth Official: Cha Sung MI (Korea Republic) Crowd: 150

Westfield National U17 Women-s line Up: 18. Shamiran KHAMIS (GK), 2. Emma CHECKER (12. Sarah CARROLL 57-), 4. Alexandra NATOLI, 7. Amy HARRISON, 8. Olivia PRICE (16. Jessica DILLION 74-), 9. Adriana JONES, 10. Alisha BASS (c) (19. Joanna MARTINO 64-), 13. Grace HENRY, 15. Lucy METCALFE, 20. Breanna SAMPSON, 27. Lauren BROWN

Substitutes not used: 1. Penelope EDMONDS (GK), 21. Eliza CAMPBELL (GK), 3. Elizabeth RALSTON, 5. Isobel COOTES, 6. Natalie TOBIN, 11.Meg MCLAUGHLIN, 14. Julia SARDO, 17. Ebony PHILCOX, 23. Allison CLARKE

Yellow Cards: 7. Amy Harrison 25-

Red Cards: Nil

Thailand line up: 1. Kittiya ARYUWONG, 5. Kanchanaporn SAENKHUN, 9. Pattha SRIKAPA (2. Praephan HENGPHIO 59-), 10. Alisa RUKPINIJ, 11. Vasinee PAKTHONGCHAI, 12. Pintong KRAIYOTH, 14. Kanthika CHOODET, 15. Amornrat UTCHAI, 17. Pannaray SUYAO, 20. Oraya SRIDARAK (13. Orapin WAENNGOEN 51-), 23. Sirintip TONGMAI (7. Booyathikan PASARIKANG 35-)

Substitutes not used: 8. Kanjana LALAY, , 24. Suwanan SORNSING, 25. Papatsorn KONGJANDEE, 27. Laddamat PROMLUANGSRI, 28. Sasiporn DONCHANON, 30. Nattarucha MUTHANAWET, 32. Wanida KHAMTHUM

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil