MATILDAS' CLEAN SWEEP OVER SOUTH KOREA
The Matildas made a clean sweep of the three-test series Australia Cup with tonight's 4-1 victory over South Korea in Bendigo, although were tested by the Koreans until their captain was sent off early in the second-half.

Although Australia had already claimed the silverware with two single-goal wins in Wagga Wagga and Albury, there was no shortage of passion or determination in tonight's fiery clash.

The Matildas kicked off in attacking mode with a shot in the opening seconds, and continued to pressure the opposition goal for most of the first half. Heather Garriock carved her way up the left flank numerous times, placing heavy pressure on the Korean defence with her dangerous crosses.

The home side was finally rewarded in the 29^th minute from a through ball up the middle of the park. Korean defender Kim Yoo Mi tried to head the bouncing ball down to her keeper, only for April Mann to stab her foot at the loose ball into the back of the net. Mann celebrated her third goal in just six appearances.

The goal however seemed to lift Korea, the visitors launching some attacks of their own. Four minutes from half-time, they snatched an equaliser, their first goal of the tournament. Substitute Jung Jung Suk deflected the ball in from close range after the corner kick was not cleared by the home defence.

With play still even, the turning point of the game occurred thirteen minutes into the second term when Korean midfielder You Young Sil was shown the red card for a retaliation foul on Joanne Peters. Korea was unable to cope without their leader and the Matildas took complete control of the play from that moment on.

Midway through the half, a fantastic Peters cross from the left deep to the far post was met with a neat side volley by Kelly Golebiowski, her first international goal and one to reclaim the lead. Alison Forman set up the Matildas' third in the 75^th minute with a long diagonal ball from half-way, falling perfectly for Sharon Black who drove low from the left inside the near post. Rubbing salt into Korea's wounds, Australia posted another again four minutes later, Garriock this time the scorer, the ball looping over the keeper.

Both midfielder Zoe Nolan and goalkeeper Cassandra Kell came in off the bench in the second half to make their international debuts.

Matildas Coach Adrian Santrac was delighted with the performance and felt confident of a win even without the send-off, "With our speed and power, we felt we'd eventually wear them down, and I still think that would have happened. A send-off does not necessarily always work against that team - there was still a job to do and our girls made it happen."

"Once we got the second goal, that was the end - they were never going to come back from that. We closed off the game and rounded out very strongly. We've had the best start possible to our new campaign with this series - starting on a winning note."