Australia v Hong Kong report by FFA

Australia 15 - Hong Kong 0


The Matildas have commenced the second and final stage of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics with a comprehensive 15-0 win over Hong Kong at the BCU International Stadium in Coffs Harbour.

The Matildas raced to a six goal half time lead before adding a further nine goals in the second half in a match played in sunny, but blustery conditions.

Striker Kate Gill scored five goals for the second consecutive international match following her five-goal haul against Chinese Taipei in February. Midfielder Collette McCallum scored a hat-trick while there were also goals for Sarah Walsh 2, Cheryl Salisbury 2, Joanne Peters, Joanne Burgess and Danielle Small.

The match also saw the senior international debut for local Coffs Harbour resident Jenna Tristram, who came on at half time for defender Dianne Alagich.

After several early misses, it was no surprise when Australia opened the scoring in the 10th minute, through Walsh and when she added a second from close range just two minutes later, it was a case of by how many.

Midfielder McCallum then made it 3-0 minutes later after a mazy run through the defence, as Australia were simply too powerful for their inexperienced opponents.

Gill scored here first goal in the 26th minute, with a sweetly struck volley, while Peters pounced in the 33rd minute, to strike home after Burgess had struck the post.

McCallum made it 6-0 just before half time with a good shot from just inside the 18-yard box.

The second half was very much the same as the first, as Australia's superior fitness told late in the game as the goals came at will.

Three goals in four minutes soon after the break from Gill, McCallum (hat-trick) and Burgess continued the onslaught, while Gill and Walsh also struck the woodwork.

Danielle Small got her name on the scoresheet in the 72nd minute, as did Gill just seconds later to complete her hat-trick.

Gill made it four goals two minutes later with another close range strike, as the score reached 12-0.

Australia continued the goals avalanche in the final 10 minutes, with captain Cheryl Salisbury grabbing two quick goals, while Gill made it her second successive five-goal haul in the dying minutes.

Salisbury almost made it a late hat-trick, but was denied by the woodwork.

The result falls short of the Matildas record 21-0 scoreline achieved against American Samoa in 1998.

Australia will travel to Chinese Taipei on Wednesday for the second Group B match next Sunday in Taipei.

Australia are also grouped with seeded team DPR Korea (North Korea) with only the top team in each group to progress to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

DPR are Asia's highest ranked team listed at 5 on the FIFA Women's World Rankings, while Australia are now ranked at an all-time high of 14. Hong Kong are ranked 68 and Chinese Taipei 28.


written by Football Federation Australia