PORT MORESBY: The Australian Young Matildas overwhelmed the Solomon Islands 13-0 in the second match of the 2004 OFC Under 19 Women’s Qualifying Tournament at the Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby this afternoon.
A hat-trick of goals to Australian forward Leena Khamis paved the way for a 9-0 halftime lead. She added two more goals to her tally in the second half to give her five for the match. But the Solomon Islands team lifted themselves after the break to hold their more experienced opponents to just 4 goals in the second stanza.
The Young Matildas came out firing from the opening whistle, scoring within the first minute as Selin Kuralay ghosted her way through the bewildered Solomon Islands defence to beat goalkeeper Betty Sade, the hero from the opening round draw against hosts Papua New Guinea. Khamis scored Australia’s second goal a few minutes later.
But the Solomons were able to shake off the early nerves to settle into the match with the help of the near one and a half thousand spectators, all supporting the underdogs. It was a testimony to the mental resolve of the beaten team that they were able to keep the Australians at bay and scoreless in the final quarter of the match.
Papua New Guinea now faces a huge challenge in the final match of the tournament this Saturday 24 April when they play Australia, who have all but booked their ticket to Thailand to represent Oceania at the forthcoming 2004 FIFA Under 19 Women’s World Championship on 10-27 November.
Match 2: Australia vs Solomon Islands / Statistical Review
Full-time score: 13-0
Half-time score: 9-0
Scorers: Aus – (9) Selin Kuralay 1′, 61′; (15) Leena Khamis 4′, 18′, 32′, 57′, 76′; (7) Kylie Ledbrook 27′; (17) Jenna Tristram 35′; (6) Sally Shipard 38′; (10) Leah Blayney 39′, 47+’; (14) Renee Cartwright 56′
Cautions: nil
Expulsions: nil
Weather: Mainly fine with light winds (SE), 31 degrees celsius
Crowd attendance: 1473
Match Officials:
Referee: Paul Lynch (Cook Islands)
Assistant Referee 1: Mata Iroa (Cook Islands)
Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Ho (Australia)
Fourth Official: Michael Afu (Solomon Islands)
Match Commissioner: George Dick (Australia)
Referee Inspector: Ken Wallace (New Zealand)
Team Line-ups (& Substitutes)
AUSTRALIA
1 Alison Logue GK
2 Elissia Canham
3 Nicole Somi
4 Emma Davision (C)
5 Ellen Beaumont (-63′)
6 Sally Shipard (-46′)
7 Kylie Ledbrook
9 Selin Kuralay
10 Leah Blayney
15 Leena Khamis
17 Jenna Tristram (-46′)
Subs:
8 Lauren Colthorpe (+46”)
11 Katie Hilder
12 Julia Bazi
13 Kim Carroll (+63′)
14 Renee Cartwright (+46′)
16 Alannah Reed
18 Claire O’Shea
Coach: Adrian Santrac
SOLOMON ISLANDS
1 Betty Sade GK
2 Rose Gwali
3 Gael Donga (-46′)
5 Elsie Ringi
6 Rafe Akau Belo
8 Fiona Komole
9 Esther Buga
11 Ednah Donga (-46′)
14 Alice Suluna
17 Vanessa Inifiri (-58′) injured
18 Mary Dongai
Subs:
4 Belinda Susana
7 Elizabeth Kalae
10 Ellen Vakatao (+46′)
12 Noelyn Wagapu (+58′)
13 Julie Oge
15 Lisa Malefo (+46′)
16 Margaret Pisu
19 Lavinia Daonanita
20 Mendilyn Pita
Coach: Rex Masuaka
Points Ladder
Teams P W D L For Against Diff. Pts
Australia 1 1 0 0 13 0 +13 3
Papua New Guinea 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Solomon Islands 2 0 1 1 0 13 -13 1
After round 2
Remaining Games
24 April 2004 Match 3 Papua New Guinea vs Australia Lloyd Robson Oval 3:00pm