Westfield Matildas start with nervy win
The Westfield Matildas have kicked off their first assault at the AFF Women's Championship with a 2-0 win over Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The Westfield Matildas have kicked off their first assault at the AFF Women's Championship with a 2-0 win over Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Victoria Balomenos was Australia's hero, coming off the bench to score a second half double in a match expected to be Australia's toughest of the group stage.
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 saw 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).
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 Remainding Matches
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