The Qantas Matildas have impressed in defeating China 3-1 in the international match played at the Mingara Recreation Club on the NSW Central Coast tonight.
The Qantas Matildas continued their recent good form following on from the scoreless draw against the tourists on Friday, and the three-match unbeaten tour of the USA last month, and were deserving winners after scores had been tied 1-1 at the interval.
Coach Tom Sermanni made six changes from the side that took the field three days ago with Novocastrian midfielder Lauren Colthorpe impressing on debut. Goalkeeper Emma Wirkus made just her second appearance while striking duo Jo Burgess and Caitlin Munoz were given a rare chance to impress.
Midfield dynamo Jo Peters opened the scoring after 20 minutes when she forced the Chinese defense into error picked up on a loose ball and rounded the goalkeeper to score.
China’s best period of the match followed in the latter stages of the half and they were duly rewarded when their main attacking outlet Xiaoxu Ma equalized from close range in the shadows of half time.
The Australians seemed to grow stronger as the match wore on and they regained the lead mid-way through the second stanza with defender Kate McShea getting a rare goal. The Queenslander volleying through a pack of players following a typically testing corner played in by Heather Garriock and headed back across goal by Peters.
The scoring was completed with Munoz scoring a superb individual goal when she held off a couple of defenders before unleashing a powerful shot from 25 metres in what was just reward for a strong performance.
Australia and China will play a final international ahead of next Saturday’s Round 15 Hyundai A-League blockbuster between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory at Aussie Stadium.
The Chinese will round out their tour schedule with a practise match against the Qantas Young Matildas also at Mingara on Thursday 1 December.
The qualifying tournament for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup is currently scheduled for July next year, with both the final tournament and the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in China.