MATILDAS WIN AUSTRALIA CUP WITH A GAME REMAINING
The Matildas have won the 4^th Australia Cup in match two of the three-test series with a second 1-0 win over South Korea tonight in Albury.

The Matildas claim their third Australia Cup crown, having defeated Italy in the 1999 final, and recording a three-match undefeated run over France last year. The hosts set up the win with their 1-0 victory last Sunday in Wagga Wagga.

Joanne Peter's first-half goal in the end proved enough to claim the victory, although Korea created a good number of promising attacks in what became a bruising and passionate encounter.

The Matildas again took some time to settle into the game, whilst Korean midfielder Koak Mi Hi persistently caused danger up the left flank. The crosses provided were not however met with equal effectiveness in front of goal. The visitors' best chance came in the 13^th minute when a neat flick-on with the boot from a corner kick allowed Cha Sung Mi in with a shot from close range.

Australia finally lifted at the quarter-hour mark, Joanne Peters instrumental in lighting up the attack. Peters was rewarded in the 32^nd minute, taking full advantage as a Korean defender tripped over the ball. Peters ran at goal and from 16 metres on the left, clinically placed her shot under the keeper low inside the far post. Soon after Peters had a clear run on goal but was held back and denied the chance.

A foul by Australian captain Alison Forman sparked drama six minutes into the second half, Korea holding up play and threatening to walk off in dispute of the referee's decision not to yellow-card the offender. Things calmed down and Korea resumed play.

Play became jaded and lifeless for the remainder of the game, the Matildas losing their direction and shape, and there were only a couple of half chances to each side. Korea had one good opportunity in stoppage time, but the free header flew well wide.

Defender Traci Bartlett celebrated her 50^th A-international in tonight's clash, the tenth Matilda to reach the milestone.

Matildas Coach Adrian Santrac was happy to come away with the win, but felt the team could have done more, saying, "I'm happy we've won, but it was a game where we need to also look behind the result. I thought at half-time, the game should have been all over. Then after the long delay in the second half, we seemed to disconnect ourselves. We need to be able to keep our focus."

The two teams travel to Bendigo tomorrow in readiness for the third and final clash on Saturday evening.