The Sydney FC contingent of the Young Matildas have seen their dream AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup hopes shattered at the hands of the defending champions.
Last night, they took on Japan in Uzbekistan and were undone by three late goals which blew the scoreline out of proportion.
Maddie Caspers, Indiana Dos Santos and Zara Kruger all started for the Australians with Shay Hollman coming on as a late substitute. Jynaya Dos Santos and Tahlia Franco remained unused substitutes.
Japan opened the scoring within three minutes, but the CommBank Young Matildas fought back in the half to pull level. In the 13th minute a fine ball from Milly Boughton found Trimis in space behind the Japanese defence. The Central Coast Mariners forward made no mistake in a one-on-one situation and slotted it home past the goalkeeper.
A stoic defensive performance and some stellar saves from Canberra United goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln meant that the teams went into the break level.
Despite Australia holding firm early in the second half, Young Nadeshiko finally broke through in the 63rd minute to take a 2-1 lead. Three quickfire goals in the final ten minutes sealed the victory for the reigning FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup silver medallists.
It was the fourth time that Australia has made the semi-finals of an AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, and they will now have the chance to equal their best-ever finish of 2006 when they take on Korea Republic in the third-place match on Saturday evening.
Australia Line Up: 1. Chloe LINCOLN (gk), 5. Jessika NASH (c), 7. Milly BOUGHTON (19. Lara GOOCH 46′), 10. Daniela GALIC, 13. Peta TRIMIS (8. Alana MURPHY 77′), 14. Zara KRUGER (6. Shay HOLLMAN 84′), 15. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 17. Maddie CASPERS (16. Claudia CICCO 64′), 20. Indiana DOS SANTOS (11. Kahli JOHNSON 77′), 21. Naomi CHINNAMA, 23. Sasha GROVE
Subs not used: 2. Tijan MCKENNA, 3. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 4. Gemma FERRIS, 9. Jynaya DOS SANTOS, 12. Tahlia FRANCO (gk), 18. Grace WILSON (gk), 22. Georgia CASSIDY
