The hopes for FIFA U20s Women’s World Cup qualification are over for the young Aussie side, suffering a defeat against a deserving Chinese outfit, going down 3 goals to 1.
The hopes for FIFA U20s Women-s World Cup qualification are over for the young Aussie side, suffering a defeat against a deserving Chinese outfit, going down 3 goals to 1.
It was a physical battle early on between the two sides. Within the first 10 minutes Casey Dumont was made aware of the slippery surface when a shot skidded in unpredictable fashion, fortunately into her grasp.
In the 10th minute what appeared to be an ambitious strike from young gun Nicola Bolger, dipped at the last second to rebound off the cross bar, creating a stir amid the Chinese defense.
The game got away from the Westfield Young Matildas leading in to half-time.
In the 33rd minute China edged ahead of the girls in green and gold. A high lofting ball to the far post for Chinese midfielder Wang Tingting to tidy up the scraps, nudging the ball with her head into the back of the net.
In the dying minutes of the first half goalkeeper Casey Dumont continued to dominate in the air with a commanding punch of the ball seeing the Aussies in to the tunnel 1 nil down.
Minutes after the interval Chinese striker Yao Shuangyan bolstered forward only to have her strike saved by Dumont.
The Australian-s began to control the possession in the second period however were unable to convert.
China-s lead was doubled by striker Yao Shuangyan mid-way through the second half.
With 20 minutes to go Emily Van Egmond scored providing hope for an Australian come-back. Straight away the Chinese answered back with a goal of their own, midfielder Ni Mengjie sealed the game, therefore Youth World Cup qualification.
Westfield Young Matildas Head coach Jeff Hopkins feels as if the result of the game was indicative of the performance,
“To be honest, I feel as if the result was deserved. We didn-t do enough to win the game, we made many mistakes and can-t afford to if we want to be winning matches,” said Hopkins.
“But in saying that, our second half was much improved. We began to create chances and for a moment there we thought we were back in the game.”
The Westfield Young Matildas controlled possession in the second half yet their ability to finish in front of goal made it difficult to gain the result they were after.
“During the second period we had the ball on the ground and playing feet. With a bit of luck and better finishing it could have seen us back in to the game,” continued Hopkins.
Now that the Westfield Young Matildas hopes for FIFA U20-s Women-s World Cup qualification are over, it will be hard to accept this fact but also prepare for the final game against Korea Republic.
“We must pull together as a group and put in a good performance. It won-t be easy, but we can do this for each other. We will take a great deal away from this tournament.” Hopkins finished.
The Westfield Young Matildas will play the last of their five games of the 2011 AFC U-19 Women's Championships against South Korea on the 16 October.
Live match updates and behind the scenes stills and footage will be available via Girls FC Facebook www.facebook.com/girlsfc and Twitter http://twitter.com/FFAGirlsFC
Westfield Young Matildas v China 2012 FIFA Youth World Cup Qualifiers Australia 1 (Emily VAN EGMOND 80-) China 3 (WANG TINGTING 33-, YAO SHUANGYAN 66-, NI MENGJIE 82-) Thursday, 13 October 2011 Thong Nhat stadium, Vietnam
Westfield Young Matildas line-up: Casey DUMONT (gk), Stephanie CATLEY, Alanna KENNEDY (c), Alex HUYNH (13. Rebekah STOTT 71-) , Hannah BREWER (12. Tara ANDREWS 58-) , Emily VAN EGMOND, Nicola BOLGER, Linda O-NEILL, Emily GIELNIK , Ashley BROWN (9. Caitlin FOORD 62-), Vedrana POPOVIC
Yellow cards: Alex Huynh, Emily Van Egmond 89- Red cards: Nil
Westfield Young Matildas AFC U19 Women-s Chamionship 2011 squad Name Age Club Teigen Allen 17 Sydney FC Tara Andrews 16 Newcastle Jets Mackenzie Arnold 17 Perth Glory Nicola Bolger 18 Sydney FC Hannah Brewer 18 Newcastle Jets Ashley Brown 18 Melbourne Victory Stephanie Catley 18 Melbourne Victory Brianna Davey 16 Melbourne Victory Casey Dumont 18 Brisbane Roar Erika Elze 18 Brisbane Roar Caitlin Foord 17 Sydney FC Caitlin Friend 18 Melbourne Victory Emily Gielnik 18 Brisbane Roar Michaela Hatzirodos 17 Melbourne Victory Kahlia Hogg 17 Canberra United Alexandra Huynh 17 Sydney FC Alanna Kennedy 16 Sydney FC Linda O-Neill 17 Sydney FC Vedrana Popovic 18 Brisbane Roar Rebekah Stott 18 Brisbane Roar Marianna Tabain 17 Perth Glory Brittany Whitfield 18 Sydney FC Emily Van Egmond 18 Newcastle Jets
Head coach: Jeff Hopkins Assistant coach: Nicola Williams GK coach: Paul Jones Doctor: Rachel Taylor Physiotherapist: Katrina Stanforth Kit manager: Joanne Adams Team manager: Jo Fernandes Media officer: Sally Shipard
For more information visit www.footballaustralia.com.au or www.the-afc.com. Or contact Sally Shipard at sallyshipard@gmail.com or +84908349053.