Matildas grab late win against China
A young and inexperienced Matildas side has recorded a 2-1 victory over China at the Tianjin Olympic Stadium overnight.
A young and inexperienced Matildas side has recorded a 2-1 victory over China at the Tianjin Olympic Stadium overnight.
Unfortunately the result won-t be recorded as an official international result, with the match played over four 30 minute quarters and interestingly enough with two penalty shootouts at the end of the second and fourth quarters.
Australia-s goals came via Servet Uzunlar and Amber Neilson (penalty) in the last quarter, after China had opened the scoring midway through the second quarter.
Both teams started with seemingly their strongest line-ups in the first quarter and it was a fairly even contest for the most part, with neither side creating any real clear cut chances.
However Tom Sermanni made several changes at quarter time and China keeping the same side, took full advantage. Three minutes in they went close with a shot that struck the post and they went ahead in the 15th of the quarter when Han Duan headed home after Clare Polkinghorne was unable to clear a cross.
Vicki Balomenos had a great chance to equalise six minutes later, but struck her shot over the bar.
China made mass changes for the third quarter and maintained their dominance with Lydia Williams touching a good shot over the bar, but in general the Australian defence was holding firm.
The fourth quarter however saw Australia start to build more pressure and they were rewarded when Uzunlar spotted the Chinese keeper off her line and looped a stunning 25 metre shot over her head and under the crossbar.
Six minutes later, Australia took the lead when Neilson fed a great through ball to Uzunlar, who brought down in the penalty box, resulting in a spot kick. Neilson stepped and calmly converted the penalty.
As a sideshow, Australia lost the two penalty shootouts.
Sermanni was no doubt delighted with the performance of his inexperienced side to get the win.
“Considering we played for 2 hours against a squad of 27 players at the prime of their preparation for the Olympics, it was an outstanding effort to last the match out,” he said.
“Then to actually finish stronger when China brought fresh players on, it showed the great character and ability of our squad to finish the match the better of the two teams.”
The two teams will face off in what will be a full international match on Wednesday at the Tianjin Taida Stadium.
Match Details
China PR 1 (Han Duan 45-) Australia 2 (Servet Uzunlar 102-, Amber Neilson 110-)
Australia line-up (1st Quarter): 1.Melissa Barbieri, 25.Brooke Spence, 14.Clare Polkinghorne, 2.Kate McShea, 3.Karla Reuter, 13.Amy Chapman, 6.Amber Neilson, 16.Lauren Colthorpe, 20.Joanne Burgess (22.Ellen Beaumont 23'), 17.Kyah Simon, 8.Caitlin Munoz.
Australia line-up (2nd Quarter): 1.Melissa Barbieri, 25.Brooke Spence, 14.Clare Polkinghorne, 16.Lauren Colthorpe, 22.Ellen Beaumont, 24.Servet Uzunlar, 5.Renee Rollason, 13.Amy Chapman, 8.Caitlin Munoz, 10.Leena Khamis, 15.Victoria Balomenos.
Australia line-up (3rd Quarter): 18.Lydia Williams, 5.Renee Rollason, 25.Brooke Spence, 2.Kate McShea, 22.Ellen Beaumont, 17.Kyah Simon, 24.Servet Uzunlar, 6.Amber Neilson, 8.Caitlin Munoz, 10.Leena Khamis, 15.Victoria Balomenos.
Australia line-up (4th Quarter): 18.Lydia Williams, 25.Brooke Spence, 14.Clare Polkinghorne, 3.Karla Reuter, 16.Lauren Colthorpe, 5.Renee Rollason, , 22.Ellen Beaumont, 24.Servet Uzunlar (8.Caitlin Munoz 24'), 10.Leena Khamis, 13.Amy Chapman (6.Amber Neilson 18'), 15.Victoria Balomenos.
*Note this is not an “A”-International due to the modified match format