FRANCE STAY ALIVE WITH LATE EQUALISER AGAINST MATILDAS
The Australia Cup champion will be decided in the third and final match this Wednesday after France kept their chances alive against the Matildas with a late equaliser this evening in Lismore, snatching a 1-1 draw.

The Matildas looked likely to lift the trophy after just the two games after taking the lead with ten minutes remaining today, but instead the Gold Coast clash will prove the deciding encounter.

France deserved the lifeline goal, having better acclimatised to the heat and displaying a much improved performance from their weary opening game. The French created some good build-ups, especially whilst dominating possession for much of the first half, but were unable to penetrate an impervious Australian defence.

Overall the game was not pretty to watch, a dour struggle throughout, apart from the odd exciting chance on goal. Australia gave away possession too much with the French shutting them down quickly.

The second half proved more even, the home side getting nearer to goal, whilst France maintained a steady pressure.

Finally the Matildas broke the deadlock in the 80^th minute, Kim Revell scoring her second for the tournament with a solid header from 14 metres at the far post to finish a great Sharon Black early cross from deep on the left. Revell was relieved, having hit wide from three similar chances.

France suddenly also found their shooting range, two minutes later Hoda Lattaf's drive bravely blocked at close range by Aussie keeper Claire Nichols out off her line. Then in the 88^th minute, a good cutback from the endline was smashed low into goal with a sensational first-time drive on the burst by midfielder Stephanie Mugneret-Beghe to even the score.

France had a golden opportunity to snatch victory in stoppage time, Sandrine Soubeyrand clutching her head in her hands as she watched her shot with only the keeper to beat sail well over the target.

"To concede the goal at that stage was disappointing, but to put things in perspective, when you compare the preparation of the two teams and consider our short time together as a group, our results have been first class," said Interim Coach Adrian Santrac. "Today we didn't play well on the ball, but we worked hard to retain shape, our discipline, and tactical awareness."

Australia need just a draw on Wednesday to claim the honours in what promises to be a thriller, whilst France must win by two clear goals to take home the silverware.

Australia : Nichols, Tann-Darby, Alagich, Salisbury, Bartlett, Forman (c), Duus (Rockall 75), Cooper (Wainwright 68), Black (Golebiowski 83), Revell, Mann (Ferguson 64).

France : Marty, Viguier (Sykora 46), Provost, Riera, Diacre (c), Soubeyrand, Mugneret-Beghe, Brandy (Blouin 29), Dos Santos (Bompastor 46), Lattaf (Herbert 81), Roujas (Rouquet 75).