Dubbo girl on debut for Matildas

Matildas beat Thailand 2-0 with two goals from Victoria Balomenos. And that caps a great week for Balomenos who is good friends I'm told with Fabian Barbiero the goal-scoring Asian Champions League semi-finalist with Adelaide United.

And Ashleigh Sykes the fastest player in the Matildas, it's official now as she made her debut yesterday. Good stuff.

Release below.

HO CHI MINH CITY
9 October 2008

The Westfield Matildas have had a first up win against Thailand in the ASEAN Football Federation Championships being held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Played in warm and humid conditions, Australia started off brightly with good possession with the first real chance coming in the 10th minute when a Lauren Colthorpe header, off a Ella Mastrantonio free kick, just went wide. Another attempt from Leena Khamis just a minute later also went wide.

With Tameka Butt (ankle injury) replaced by Ashleigh Sykes in only the 12th minute, the Westfield Matildas continued to pressure, and were disappointed when Khamis' shot found the back of the net in the 24th minute, ontly to be judged offside. While the pressure continued throughout the half, Thailand showed an improved defence and also moved the ball quickly for some counter attacking moves of their own.

Thailand came out the more lively in the second half with Williams tested in the 54th minute by a shot from just inside the box from Thailand.

Substitute Jenna Tristram replaced Colthorpe in the 61st minute and immediately made an impact with an angled attempt from the right collected by the Thai goalkeeper. Another substitution by Westfield Matildas coach, Tom Sermanni, saw Victoria Balomenos brought on for Khamis, with Amy Chapman and Balomenos combining well in moving forward.

The Westfield Matildas' first goal came in the 71st minute after Colthorpe and Tristram traded passes, crossed to Chapman whose attempt on goal was fumbled by the Thai goalkeeper with Balomenos on had to tap it in at close range. Australia was in control of the game when, in the 86th minute, Tristram won the ball, passed it to Ashleigh Sykes on the right who split the Thai defence wit a precision pass to Balomenos in the box who finished with a low angled shot from 15 metres out.

Assistant Coach, Alistair Edwards, said a first-up win in a tournament is always good.

"We can build on that performance and learn from it," he said.

"We secured the result against a very well organised opponent, but there's room for improvement."

Edwards said he and Sermanni were particularly pleased with the performance given that the Westfield Matildas comprises many up-and-coming younger players.

"Ashleigh Sykes made her debut today, and was terrific. She set up the second goal and was a constant danger.

"Ella Mastrantonio also did very well for her first start in the senior team."

Australia's next match will be against the Philippines on Saturday at 5.45pm local time (9.45pm AEDT).

ENDS

Match Details

AFF Women's Championship 2008
9 October
Thailand v Australia
Thanh Long Sports Complex, Vietnam
3.30pm local

THAILAND 0 - AUSTRALIA 2 (Balomenos 71', 86')

STARTING LINE-UP: 18. Williams (GK), 2. Spence, 4. Polkinghorne, 7. Kellond-Knight, 10. Khamis (15. Balomenos, 67'), 11. Butt (22. Sykes, 12'), 13. Chapman, 14. Uzunlar, 16. Colthorpe (9. Tristram, 61'), 19. Carroll (C), 20. Mastrantonio
SUBS NOT USED: Barbieri (GK), Rollason, Glohe, Walters

YELLOW CARDS: Khamis (42')

RED CARDS: Nil

ASEAN Women’s Football Championships 2008
Remainder of Tournament

11 October
Philippines v Westfield Matildas
Than Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local kick off time 5.45pm (9.45pm AEDT)

13 October
Singapore v Westfield Matildas
Than Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local kick off time 5.45pm (9.45pm AEDT)

18 October
Semi finals
Than Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local kick off time 3.30pm and 5.45pm (7.30pm and 9.45pm AEDT)

20 October
3/4 playoff
Than Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local kick off time 3.30pm (7.30pm AEDT)