Midfield And Two Strikers To Decide Do-or-die Game
Qantas Young Matildas coach Alistair Edwards believes this afternoon’s do-or-die 3rd/4th place play-off game against Japan, will come down to a battle of the midfields and two very special strikers.
Both teams will have to overcome surprising losses in their respective semi finals, with the winner earning a place at the FIFA U-20 Women-s World Championship to be held in Russia later this year.
Edwards has made two changes to the team that lost 4-2 to DPR Korea in the semi final, with defender Nicole Somi and midfielder Leah Blayney coming into the side at the expense of Danielle Brogan and Servet Uzunlar respectively.
“Leah Blayney comes back into the side to add her considerable experience to an already gifted midfield of Sally Shipard, Kylie Ledbrook and Collette McCallum,” said Edwards. “It-s going to be an intriguing battle in that department as the Japanese midfield is equally talented.”
“We will go into the game with a back four with Nicole Somi playing next to Kim Carroll in the centre of defense.”
However Edwards also believes it might come down to two strikers, who he rates the best in the competition that could well decide who wins today-s game. “The two best strikers in the competition will also have a big say in today-s game,” Edwards added. “The Japanese number 9 is a bit special and someone we will need to watch closely. On our side Sasha McDonnell (pictured above) has been absolutely brilliant with her pace and intelligent runs combined with her amazing passion, which has caused all sorts of problems for the opposing defenses all week”.
The Australian line-up is: Lydia Williams (gk); Clare Polkinghorne, Kim Carroll, Nicole Somi, Olivia Kennedy, Leah Blayney, Sally Shipard (c), Kylie Ledbrook, Collette McCallum, Sasha McDonnell, Leena Khamis
Edwards also believes that the experience at these Championships is exactly what Australia was looking for football wise when it decided to apply for membership to the Asian Football Confederation.
"There were five very good teams all vying to win these Championships and get to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship in Russia later this year. The competition is extremely tough with defending champions Korea Republic not even making it to the semi finals.
"These type of tough, uncompromising, high pressure games are a lot different from what we previously encountered in the Oceania qualification route and typifies what being part of the AFC is all about. Japan are an excellent side and we will need to play to our full potential for us to win.
“We conceded two very soft goals early on against DPR Korea and we can ill afford these type of lapses at this level of football.”