Ever seen a better game of football?

What a night, what a great performance by Australia.

Here's my thoughts the morning after.


This game had everything. Goals, chances, great skill, hard work, attitude, team commitment, honesty and pure determination.

Coach Tom Sermanni got lucky, not dis-similar to Gus Hiddink, but like Hiddink he took advantage of his opportunities, had a plan, and used his squad superbly.

Well done Sermanni, a wonderful coaching performance so far. A smart smart coach.

I was in raptures about the quality of the Matildas side and particularly the different skills and types of players on show.

Haven't the team matured.

Heather Garriock, her running style and superb left foot I could watch all day. Collette McCullum can work the ball beautifully. Great interchanges, great feet, a joy to watch.

Cheryl Salisbury had a wonderful second half. Strong, determined and resiliient. A Captain's performance.

Lisa De Vanna pace skill and an eye for goal.

Four players who caught my eye. Four completely different styles and skills and isn't it fantastic to see.

There are others, Sarah Walsh's pace, Caitlin Munoz strength and skill, Melissa Barbieri etc etc

It was a great night and any fans athcing here in Australia would surely have saw much to cheer.

Can't wait for Wednesday.

And from the FFA

Norway, the top seeded nation in the group, won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1995 as well as the gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Australia now require a point out of their last group match against Canada in Chengdu on Wednesday to secure a first ever quarter final berth in the fourth tournament appearance for the Matildas.

Australian midfielder Heather Garriock was named by FIFA as player of the match.


For full match details see the FFA website:

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au



Match Details:-



Australia 1 (Lisa De Vanna 83’)



Norway 1 (Ragnhild Gulbrandsen 5’)



Australian line-up: Melissa Barbieri (gk); Lauren Colthorpe (Caitlin Munoz 76’), Thea Slatyer, Cheryl Salisbury (c), Dianne Alagich; Danielle Small (Lisa De Vanna h/t), Collette McCallum, Alicia Ferguson, Heather Garriock; Joanne Burgess, Kate Gill (Sarah Walsh 61’)



Cautions: nil


Referee: Huijun Niu (China)

Attendance: 33,835