The Westfield Matildas posted one of their most impressive performances at a FIFA Women’s World Cup only to be beaten by world number three Brazil, 1-nil, in their first match of Group D.
The Westfield Matildas posted one of their most impressive performances at a FIFA Women-s World Cup only to be beaten by world number three Brazil, 1-nil, in their first match of Group D.
A Rosana strike on 54 minutes was the only difference between the two sides with Australia having 12 shots on goal and dominating possession against the much fancied Brazilians.
With seven World Cup debutants in the starting line-up the Westfield Matildas began the match in impressive style creating a host of chances and shutting down Brazil consistently.
Lisa De Vanna and Kyah Simon both went close in the first half and only a fortuitous Marta strike and cross saw Australia struggle to deal with the Samba girls.
Brazil found their rhythm in the second half and on 54 minutes a lapse in defensive concentration saw Rosana get on the end of a bouncing ball that Australia failed to clear and beating the offside trap and valiant efforts of Tameka Butt sailed the ball past Melissa Barbieri.
Australia had the best chances for the remainder of the match but could not capitalise on some slick passing moves and could not put the power or precision on their shots to beat Andreia in the Brazil goals.
In the last play of the match a Collette McCallum corner had Brazil scrambling.
With many bodies in the box substitute Sam Kerr hit a peach of a left foot volley which slammed into a group of players with the rebound falling just beyond the reach of Kim Carroll and Caitlin Foord and Brazil managing to launch the ball over the touchline and fulltime whistle to blow.
With the match finishing 1-nil Westfield Matildas Head Coach Tom Sermanni, while disappointed with the result, felt his players performed brilliantly.
“It was a great effort from the players and there are a lot of positives to take out of this match,” said Sermanni.
“I think we achieved a lot out of the game today.
“Obviously we are disappointed in the result but I think we showed the quality and the type of football that we’ve tried to play which is something that impresses me greatly about this group.
“And you know we just nearly got something at the end.
“We now need to focus on our next game and look to win our games against Equatorial Guinea and Norway and then hopefully proceed from there.”
Australia next play Equatorial Guinea on July 3 (10pm AEST SBS TWO) before taking on Norway on July 6 (July 7, 2am AEST SBS ONE).
FIFA Women-s World Cup – Group D
Australia 0
Brazil 1 (ROSANA 54-)
29 June 2011
Borussia Park, Mönchengladbach
Local kick-off: 6.15pm (30 June, 2011 – 2.15am AEST / 1.45am ACST / 12.15am AWST)
Referee: Jenny PALMQVIST (Sweden)
Assistant referees: Helen KARO (Sweden) and Anna NYSTROM (Sweden)
Fourth official: Thalia MITSI (Greece)
Australia starting line-up: 1.Melissa BARBIERI (gk) (c), 3.Kim CARROLL, 7.Heather GARRIOCK, 8.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9.Caitlin FOORD, 10.Servet UZUNLAR, 11.Lisa DE VANNA, 12.Emily van EGMOND (15.Sally SHIPARD 61-), 13.Tameka BUTT (4.Clare POLKINGHORNE 86-), 14.Collette McCALLUM, 17.Kyah SIMON (20.Sam KERR 79-)
Substitutes not used: 18.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2.Teigen ALLEN, 5.Laura ALLEWAY, 6.Ellyse PERRY, 16.Lauren COLTHORPE, 19.Leena KHAMIS, 21.Casey DUMONT (gk)
Brazil starting line-up: 1.ANDREIA (GK), 2.MAURINE, 3.DAIANE, 4.ALINE (C), 6.ROSANA, 7.ESTER, 8.FORMIGA (15.FRANCIELLE 84-), 10.MARTA, 11.CRISTIANE, 13.ERIKA, 14.FABIANA
Substitutes not used: 12.BARBARA (GK), 21.THAIS (GK), 5.RENATA COSTA, 9.BEATRIZ, 16.ELAINE, 17.DANIELLE, 19.GRAZIELLE, 20.ROSEANE
For more information and to follow the Westfield Matildas visit Girls FC or Football Australia
