Great Start For Qantas Young Matildas
Qantas Young Matildas has kicked off their AFC Under 19 Women’s Championship with a heart-stopping 1-0 win over China tonight.
The Qantas Young Matildas are aiming to become the first Australian side to win an AFC Championship, while a top-three finish in the eight nation tournament will ensure qualification for the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women-s World Championship to be played in Russia in September.
Queensland striker Sasha McDonnell had the distinction of being Australia's first male or female player to score in the finals of an AFC competition when she converted a Collette McCallum cross from close range nine minutes after the interval.
While the Chinese twice struck the frame of the goal later in the half, it was to prove their only threat to the goal of Australia's Lydia Williams and the Qantas Young Matildas ran out deserved winners in a match played in high humidity.
Australia took its time to get into the match after early pressure from China, but it was McDonnell that had the first decent effort after 21 minutes. She was found by McCallum at the far post, here header forcing a great save from the Chinese keeper.
Right half time and with Australia dominating, McCallum was denied by the keeper this time, who tipped her long range shot over the bar.
The breakthrough came in the 54th minute, when a patient build up by Australia, saw McCallum get in behind the defence and she crossed to McDonnell who raced onto the ball and crashed home her shot from 6 yards out.
A minute later, China were almost level when a fierce shot hit the post and with Williams the rebound was put wide.
Williams could thank the wood work again in the final ten minutes, when a cross-cum-shot from the left hit the top of the crossbar.
Leena Khamis could have sealed the win in the 86th minute, when she had a one-on-one with the keeper, but her shot was blocked and McCallum had the chance to shoot but was again foiled by the keeper.
Qantas Young Matildas coach Alistair Edwards was obviously delighted with the team performance and to get a first up win over a very good side.
“It was a match of high quality which we controlled for lengthy periods having possession for at least 70% of the match,” said Edwards.
“We scored a well-worked goal and defended exceptionally well throughout the match. It was really pleasing to see the aspects of our game that we have been concentrating on during our preparation, work so well against such high quality opposition.
“The quality of the teams here is extremely high with the players fully aware of the tough games that lie ahead, and we will undoubtedly need to continue to improve on the form we displayed today.
“This thoroughly deserved win has further instilled the belief that we are on the right track but there is still a lot of work to do.”
In the other Group B match played overnight Jordan defeated Australia's next opponent Malaysia 2-1.
The full match schedule is:
China v Australia Sunday 9 April - 5.30pm (7.30pm AEST), KLFA Stadium
Australia v Malaysia Tuesday 11 April - 5.30pm (7.30pm AEST), KLFA Stadium
Australia v Jordan Thursday 13 April - 7.45pm (9.45pm AEST), MPPJ Stadium
Saturday 15 April - Winner A v Runners-Up B, 5pm (7pm AEST), or Winner B v Runners Up A, 7.45pm (9.45pm AEST), both at KLFA Stadium
Tuesday 18 April - 3rd/4th Playoff, 5pm (7pm AEST), or Final, 7.45pm (9.45pm AEST), both at KLFA Stadium
The top two teams in each group to progress to the semi finals with the two finalists, plus the winner of the 3rd place match, to qualify for the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women-s World Championship.
Match Details
Australia 1 (Sasha McDonnell 54') China 0
Australian line-up: Lydia Williams (gk); Claire Polkinghorne, Danielle Brogan, Kim Carroll, Olivia Kennedy, Sally Shipard, Sasha McDonnell (Victoria Balomenos 77-), Kylie Ledbrook (Caitlin Cooper 89-), Collette McCallum, Leena Khamis, Leah Blayney (Servet Uzunlar 74-) Substitutes not used: Jenna Tristram, Alison Logue (gk), Amy Jackson, Grace Gill, Renee Cartwright, Nicole Somi
Caution: Polkinghorne 84-
The Qantas Matildas squad for the AFC Championship in Malaysia is:
Goalkeepers Lydia Williams (ACT), Alison Logue (NNSW)
Defenders Clare Polkinghorne (QLD), Kim Carroll (QLD), Nicole Somi (ACT), Danielle Brogan (NSW), Grace Gill (ACT), Olivia Kennedy (NSW)
Midfielders Sally Shipard (NSW), Kylie Ledbrook (NSW), Collette McCallum (WA), Amy Jackson (VIC), Servet Uzunlar (NSW), Renee Cartwright (NSW), Caitlin Cooper (NSW), Vicktoria Balomenos (SA), Leah Blayney (NSW)
Forwards Jenna Tristram (NNSW), Sasha McDonnell (QLD), Leena Khamis (NSW)
More tournament information can be found at the AFC website for the tournament - www.the-afc.com/english/competitions/womenU192006