Matildas beat World Cup hosts China

WORLD CUP PREPARATIONS ON TRACK AS MATILDAS KNOCK OVER WORLD CUP HOSTS

The Matildas scored a dramatic 3-2 win overnight against World Cup hosts China in the team’s penultimate match prior to next month’s 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Prolific striker Sarah Walsh scored seven minutes from full-time to secure a famous win for the Matildas; just the fourth victory for Australia in 28 matches against one of the traditional superpowers of women’s football.

The result all the more noteworthy with Australia starting the match minus several experienced players including goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, midfielder Joanne Peters and captain Cheryl Salisbury.

The Matildas stunned the home side racing to a 2-0 lead after just 28 minutes in what was the first match ever to be played at the new Tianjin Olympics Center Stadium. Firstly, long serving defender Kate McShea scored just her second goal for Australia when she rifled in a low shot from 10 metres after a corner caused havoc in the penalty area.

Lisa De Vanna then scored the goal of the match, with the Perth-based striker picking up the ball in her own half and weaving past several defenders in the process before lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

The home side rallied with Han Duan scoring a double within the space of ten minutes soon after the interval to level the scores before Walsh’s late strike.

The winner coming with a deep corner from the left headed back across the goal by Kate Gill for Walsh to sweep the ball home from close range. Australia will now face China for a second time on Sunday again in Tianjin, with the team to complete their preparations with a five-day camp in Sydney immediately prior to the team’s\ndeparture to the World Cup on September 5.


Australia will open their campaign against Ghana on September 12 in Hangzhou, followed by the match against Norway on September 15 in the same city before the final group match against Canada on September 19 in Chengdu.

The top two teams in Australia’s group will progress to the quarter finals and meet the top two teams of Group D which features China, Denmark, Brazil and New Zealand.

Match Details:-Australia 3 (Kate McShea 22’, Lisa DeVanna 28’, Sarah Walsh 83’)China 2 (Han Duan 54’, 64’)

Australian line-up: Lydia Williams (Emma Wirkus h/t), Dianne Alagich (c) (Rhian Davies (h/t), Kate McShea, Thea Slatyer (Joanne Burgess 80’), Clare Polkinghorne, Lauren Colthorpe, Alicia Ferguson, Danielle Small (Cheryl Salisbury 70’), Heather Garriock, Lisa DeVanna (Sarah Walsh (h/t), Kate Gill (Caitlin Munoz 93’).