Young Matildas bow out in extraordinary scenes

The Young Matildas hopes of competing at the 2008 FIFA U/20 World Championships have been quashed after they lost 2-1 against DPR Korea amid extraordinary scenes in Chongqing tonight.

The Young Matildas hopes of competing at the 2008 FIFA U/20 World Championships have been quashed after they lost 2-1 against DPR Korea amid extraordinary scenes in Chongqing tonight.

With the game all tied up at one apiece with seven minutes of normal time remaining, there was chaotic scenes as a Korean official raced onto the pitch appealing for a penalty, which was duly awarded and converted by the Korean captain.

The defeat means that Australia cannot finish in the top two even with victory in its final match against Myanmar.

Australia-s goal was scored from the penalty spot by Tameka Butt after 13 minutes.

Australia started the match strongly and had several close misses in the opening ten minutes. However Lydia Williams made a magnificent save to deny DPR from a free kick and almost immediately the ball went up the other end and Kyah Simon, breaking into the box, was fouled with a penalty the result. Butt made no mistake with an excellent finish from the spot.

But DPR pressure late in the half, which saw Australia turn over possession finally told in the 41st minute, with a terrific shot from the edge of the box into the top corner.

The second half was a nail-biting affair with both sides having their chances, but the match defining moment came in the 83rd minute when a DPR player raced into the box, was challenged and went to ground.

After a delay of several minutes to remove the Korean official from the pitch, the referee awarded a penalty and was converted.

Eight minutes of added time was played, with Australia having its own penalty appeal waved away, while a free kick by Elise Kellond-Knight went narrowly over the bar.

An obviously disappointed coach Alen Stajcic was full of praise for his girls in what was a very tense atmosphere.

“It was a much improved performance from the Young Matildas,” Stajcic said. “We dominated play for the first 20 minutes and took the 1-0 lead.

“After that DPRK got back into the game and eventually equalised. In the second half we pressed looking for the goal we needed to qualify for the next round, and we dominated periods of play.”

“Obviously everyone is very upset with the events at the end of the game, but I am extremely proud of their effort in representing our country in a fair and sporting manner.”

Match Details

Australia 1 (Tameka Butt 13- pen) DPR Korea 2 (41-/83- pen)

Australian line-up: Lydia Williams (gk); Caitlin Cooper, Lyndsay Glohe, Clare Polkinghorne, Olivia Kennedy, Teresa Polias, Servet Uzunlar, Renee Rollason (Elise Kellond-Knight 62-), Tameka Butt (Jenna Kingsley 75-), Kyah Simon, Victoria Balomenos (Ashleigh Connor 62-) Subs Not Used: Ellyse Perry, Grace Gill, Stacey Day, Ella Mastrantonio, Rachel Doyle, Casey Dumont (gk), Rachel Cooper (gk)

Cautions: Simon (56-), Connor (88-)