Matildas secure second win over New Zealand

The Matildas defeated New Zealand 1-0 in a practice match played in Coffs Harbour today to complete a clean sweep of the two-match series as both teams continue preparations for September’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.

The Matildas defeated New Zealand 1-0 in a practice match played in Coffs Harbour today to complete a clean sweep of the two-match series as both teams continue preparations for September-s FIFA Women-s World Cup in China.

The only goal of the match came after 24 minutes when speedy striker Lisa DeVanna outpaced the defence following a long-ball from goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.

Australian coach Tom Sermanni fielded an experimental line-up with the World Cup squad to be selected next month. None of the starting players from Thursday-s 3-0 win featured in the match and there were three Australian debutants in Melbourne-based defender Louisa Bisbi, Brisbane defender Ellen Beaumont and ACT midfielder Amy Chapman.

Barbieri was rarely tested in the Australian goal with Australia coming closest to scoring in the second half when Kate Gill outpaced the defence but her lofted shot over the advancing goalkeeper narrowly cleared the crossbar.

The Matildas will return to Coffs Harbour next month when they wrap up their Olympic qualification match schedule against Chinese Taipei on Sunday 12 following the penultimate group match in Hong Kong on Sunday 4 August.

The 2007 FIFA Women-s World Cup will feature 16 nations and will be held in the cities of Chengdu, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin and Wuhan, September 10-30.

Australia will open their campaign at the 2007 FIFA Women-s World Cup against Ghana on September 12 in Hangzhou. The Matildas will then meet world number four ranked team Norway on September 15 in the same city, before the final group match against Canada on September 19 in Chengdu.

Match Details:

Australia 1 (Lisa DeVanna 24-)

New Zealand 0

Australia line-up: Melissa Barbieri (GK); Clare Polkinghorne, Kim Carroll, Louisa Bisbi, Karla Reuter (Amy Chapman 54-), Ellen Beaumont, Amber Neilson, Lauren Colthorpe, Joanne Burgess (Lana Harch 80-), Lisa DeVanna, Kate Gill

New Zealand line-up: Jenny Bindon (GK), Abby Erceg, Rebecca Smith (captain) (Ria Percival 65), Maia Jackman, Marlies Oostdam, Katie Hoyle, Hayley Moorwood (Emily McColl 55), Priscilla Duncan (Rebecca Sowden), Michele Clarke (Merissa Smith 75), Rebecca Tegg, Ali Riley.

The Qantas Matildas squad for the Coffs Harbour camp, July 16-22, is:

Goalkeepers - Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lisa Hartley (Wollongong), Lydia Williams (Canberra), Emma Wirkus (Adelaide)

Defenders - Di Alagich (Sydney), Ellen Beaumont (Brisbane), Louisa Bisbi (Melbourne), Kim Carroll (Brisbane), Rhian Davies (Sydney), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Kate McShea (Brisbane), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane), Karla Reuter (Newcastle), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle), Thea Slatyer (Sydney)

Midfielders - Lauren Colthorpe (Newcastle), Lana Harch (Brisbane), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle), Joanne Peters (Newcastle), Sally Shipard (Canberra), Danielle Small (Sydney)

Forwards - Joanne Burgess (Sydney), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lisa DeVanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Sarah Walsh (Sydney) (current home city)

TV: SBS TV will broadcast a selection of matches from the 2007 FIFA Women-s World Cup including LIVE coverage of the opening ceremony match, semi-finals, final and ALL Matildas matches.