6TH AUSTRALIA CUP
Australia * China * DPR Korea * New Zealand
18-24 February 2004 * Brisbane


Sun 22 February 2004
MATILDAS v DPR KOREA MATCH ABANDONED

Tonight's Australia Cup match between the Matildas and DPR Korea was abandoned with one half completed due to adverse weather conditions.

As nearby electrical storm activity increased, tournament officials took advice from the Bureau of Meteorology, and made the decision to abandon play with the safety of the players and officials the priority.

China won the earlier match against New Zealand 3-0.

North Korea held a one-goal lead in the game against the home side when play was abandoned. Their 11th minute goal was scored by Sok Chun Myong, on the burst to meet a neat cut back from the right by teammate Yun Yong Hui.

Australia enjoyed a good share of the possession in the first half, and created several good openings in attack. Sarah Walsh and Lana Harch had the best of the chances, but were unable to break through for the equaliser. North Korea came close to scoring again in the last ten minutes before the break, but for two fantastic saves by Australian goalkeeper Cassandra Kell.

Play did not resume after half-time.

The young Chinese outfit were deserved 3-0 victors over New Zealand, all three goals scored in the first half. China were impressive on the ball, penetrating the opposition backline with good movement and incisive passes. New Zealand also had chances of their own, but resorted mostly to long-range efforts without success.

A drive from China's Fan Tingting hit the post in the 8th minute, signalling what was to come. Just two minutes later, they held the 1-0 lead when a corner kick from the right was met with a powerful header from Wang Kun ten metres out.

Midway through the opening stanza, China doubled the lead with a solid strike from Xu Yuan. China's third goal came seven minutes before the break, Wang Kun recording her second of the match. A neat through-ball released the striker behind the defence, and after rounding the goalkeeper, the ball was slotted home from an acute angle on the left into the open net.

In the second half, China maintained the upper hand, although New Zealand had stepped up their defensive effort, well enough to prevent any further goals.

6TH AUSTRALIA CUP
18-24 February 2004
QEII Stadium, Brisbane, Australia

MATCH DAY TWO
Game Two
Sunday 22 February 2004

Result:

AUSTRALIA v DPR KOREA
Match abandoned

 

MATCH DAY TWO
Game One
Sunday 22 February 2004

Result:

NEW ZEALAND 0
CHINA 3 (Wang Kun 10', 38', Xu Yuan 21')

Halftime score:

0-3
   

Kickoff:

5.30pm

Weather:

Hot, humid, 34°C

Pitch condition:

Very good flat grassy surface

Match Officials:

Referee - Jacqui Melksham, Assistant Referees - Michelle Treloar, Sarah Ho, Fourth Official - Krystyna Szokolai
   

NEW ZEALAND Lineup:

Rachel Howard (GK) (Jenny Bindon 46'), Brooke Rangi, Sarah Gibbs (Rebecca Simpson 58'), Priscilla Duncan, Maia Jackman (capt) (Sara Clapham 67'), Hayley Moorwood, Naomi Clarke (Zoe Thompson 61'), Amber Hearn, Pip Meo (Zarnia Cogle 53'), Simone Ferrara, Meisha Pyke (Rebecca Sowden 46').

Unused Substitutes:

Rebecca Smith.

Cautions:

Priscilla Duncan 35'.

Expulsions:

nil
   

CHINA Lineup:

Weng Xiaojie (GK) (Hao Danyang 86'), Gao Yan (Zhang Wen 70'), Guo Lin, Wang Kun (Li Shasha 89'), Hou Iijia, Fan Tingting (Wang Yihang 70'), You Jia (Sa Liu 45+'), Xu Yuan (Lou Xiaoxu 78'), Wang Dandan, Guo Yue, Sun Yongxia (Weng Xinzhi 86').

Unused Substitutes:

nil

Cautions:

Hou Iijia 89'.

Expulsions:

nil

 

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