World NewsMatildas Reach ASEAN Final |
THE WESTFIELD Matildas have advanced to the final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championships after thrashing Myanmar (Burma) 5-1 in Ho Chi Minh City.
They will be the second Australian team to play in the final of an ASEAN Championship in under a week, after the Young Socceroos won the U19 ASEAN Championship in Bangkok last week.They made a strong start when Amy Chapman [pictured] opened the scoring in the 3rd minute after a fumbling error from the Myanmar goalkeeper, who was under pressure from the lively play of Chapman, Uzunlar and Tristram. Australia's second goal came in the 19th minute when Mastrantonio placed the ball well behind the defence to Uzunlar who finished it off with precision from 10 metres out.
The first of three penalties awarded in the match came when Colthorpe converted low to the right post after Tristram was brought down in the box in the 27th minute. A dominant display by Australia in the first half was capped off by a fourth goal from Tristram in the 42nd minute when the 'keeper was left stranded after some clever lead-up play from Carroll and Colthorpe.
The second half started where the first left off, with Australia again playing convincingly. Kellond-Knight won a second penalty for Australia in the 65th minute which was converted by Carroll, but resulted in an ankle injury for Kellond-Knight.
Seven minutes later, Australia were down to 10 women when Polkinghorne was shown her second yellow card - this time in the penalty box - which Myanmar converted.
Myanmar stepped up a gear with the numerical advantage and soon had Australia under more pressure with Chapman sent off for a second yellow in the 77th minute but, despite being down to nine players, the Westfield Matildas held on for the win.
Coach Tom Sermanni said he was very happy with the result, but disappointed to be without Polkinghorne and Chapman for the Final on Monday.
"Myanmar can be a very difficult side. They have a very dogged and determined defence so our plan was to try to score early to relieve the pressure, and that's exactly what we did. The loss of two players through suspension will have an impact on us. It just shows how quickly a squad of 18 can be whittled down."
The Westfield Matildas meet Vietnam in the Final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championships at 6.00pm local (10.00pm AEDT) on Monday.
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