Aussies win medals after two wins against China

The Australian women’s team grabbed the silver medal and the men’s team the bronze medal following victories over China on the final day of action at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney.

The Australian women-s team grabbed the silver medal and the men-s team the bronze medal following victories over China on the final day of action at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney.

The women-s team, who needed at least a draw to guarantee a medal and a win to give themselves a chance of finishing in the gold medal position, fell behind three minutes after the interval. Despite extreme heat the Australian-s rallied to secure a 2-1 win with an equaliser from Jenna Kingsley and then a 73rd minute penalty converted by Tameka Butt.

Korea and Japan played out an exciting 4-4 draw in the latter match with the result enough to push the Koreans into the gold medal position a point ahead of Australia with Japan finishing with the bronze.

The performances at the tournament under coach Mike Mulvey providing a solid platform for the upcoming qualifiers for the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women-s World Cup to be held in New Zealand in 2008.

The men-s team secured the bronze medal with a 1-0 over China through an early goal from Jason Naidovski, which proved the difference between the teams.

Despite the win Australia finished with the bronze medal behind Japan on goal difference and gold medallists Korea who won all three matches.

In the other match Korea defeated Japan 1-0.

For more information see the AYOF website:- http://www.olympics.com.au/ayof07

Women-s AYOF Football Tournament

Australia 2 (Jenna Kingsley 53-, Tameka Butt 73- pen) China 1 (Rong Zhao 48-)

Australia: Casey Dumont (gk)(Stefania Cola h/t); Alisha Foote (Sophie Hogben 78-), Alesha Clifford (Emily Van Egmond 70-), Vedrana Popovic, Jenna Kingsley, Melissa Redmond, Kyah Simon, Samatha Spackman, Tameka Butt, Kirstyn Pearce, Samantha Wood Subs Not Used: Danielle Calauti, Elizabeth Sharpe, Ella Mastrantonio, Rhali Dobson

Yellow Cards: nil

Men-s AYOF Football Tournament

Australia 1 (Jason Naidovski 4-) China 0

Australia: Jerrad Tyson (gk); Dane Milovanovic, Sebastian Ryall, James Holland (Richard Greer 55-), James Brown, Jason Naidovski, Tahj Minniecon, Matthew Mullen, Dominic Gianpolo (Marco Jesic h/t), Isaka Cernak, Alex Sunasky Subs Not Used: Andrew Redmayne, Luke Devere

Yellow Card: Dane Milovanovic 60-