3-NATIONS INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
AUSTRALIA ~  JAPAN ~ SOUTH KOREA
22-27 July 2003
Sendai City, Japan

Sat 26 July 2003
QANTAS MATILDAS STRUGGLE TO REACH GREAT HEIGHTS Vs REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The Australian Women’s National Team (the Qantas Matildas) have struggled to a 0-0 draw against Korea, in their first match of the 3-nations international women’s soccer tournament against Japan and South Korea, played in Japan overnight.

In what coach Adrian Santrac described as a dour but tough opening match, the Qantas Matildas began the first half with signs of rustiness but finished the 90 minutes the stronger of the two teams, without finding the back of the net.   Australia next face favourites Japan on Sunday 27 July to complete the two-match tournament.

"I was disappointed for the supporters, it was a low quality match, very physical and the game didn't show the true football qualities of either team.   Korea are a very physical side and to their credit, stopped us from playing the way we'd like to play.   Overall, I was disappointed with the quality of the first half from our girls, however it was the first game back for us after the (Oceania World Cup) qualifiers in April and it took us far too long to deal with the physical nature of the game, we just found it unsettling," said coach Adrian Santrac.

"In the second half the team responded very well, although still rusty in patches throughout this half, we were much more positive in our general play, we showed improvement and that we're heading in the right direction towards the Women's World Cup in September."

"I'm looking forward to Sunday's match against Japan, but it will be extremely difficult as Japan showed in their 5-0 demolition of Korea that they are a very good side, they're at a different level to where we are at this time in our preparation for the World Cup, and different to where Korea is too."

"The Japanese are certainly on top of their game at the moment, having just completed their qualifying tournament and play-off victory against Mexico. They showed in the first game that they are above Korea at the moment. We are looking forward to playing a team of this quality and again seeing if we are improving with each match," said Santrac.

One major disappointment for the Qantas Matildas is the injury to defender Thea Slatyer, who after coming on in the 60th minute, had to be replaced 5 minutes later.

"Thea sustained what appears to be a serious knee injury and is now in serious doubt for the World Cup tournament, we will need to conduct further testing.   If she is ruled out this would be a major blow, and of course to her, and for the entire squad and staff," said Santrac.

On a slightly brighter note, veteran defender Sacha Wainwright recorded her 50th international cap for the Qantas Matildas and a special presentation was made to her before the match.

MATCH REPORT
Sendai Stadium, Miyagi, JAPAN
7pm, Friday 25 July 2003
Australia vs. Korea Republic
Crowd: Under 1,000
Conditions: Rainy, 19oC, 79% humidity, light wind, excellent (but wet) pitch condition
Match Officials: Sachiko Baba (referee), Hisae Yoshizawa (assistant referee), Shiho Ayukai (assistant referee), Mariko Iwaki (4th official)

Full-time result: Australia 0- 0 Republic of Korea

Australia starting XI:
Melissa Barbieri (GK), Sacha Wainwright, Cheryl Salisbury (C), Dianne Alagich, Rhian Davies, Gill Foster (Pam Grant 91'), Bryony Duus (Tal Karp 60'), Danielle Small (Thea Slatyer 60' then replaced by Hayley Crawford 65'), Joanne Peters, Heather Garriock, Kelly Golebiowski (Amy Wilson 84').

Yellow cards:   Alagich 13', Salisbury 40'

Subs not used: Taryn Rockall, April Mann, Cassandra Kell (GK) and Amy Beattie (GK).

MATCH SUMMARY:
1st Half
Very physical start - Rhian Davies and Joanne Peters stretchered off in first few minutes, both resumed playing.
First 20min - dour play, neither side making much headway towards goals.
30min - Joanne Peters has a shot on goal, lead-up play well worked into front of goal, Peters shot from the edge of the penalty box, over crossbar
31min - Kelly Golebiowski puts a cross into the penalty box from the left hand side of the pitch, however it needed a quick clearance by Korean defence to avoid any danger.
43min - Qantas Matildas awarded a free kick around 40 metres out, Heather Garriock takes the free kick and lofts it to Kelly Golebiowski, but her shot just over bar but producing the Qantas Matildas best scoring chance of first half.
45min   0-0

2nd Half
Australia begin gathering momentum, starting to apply more pressure on Korea in search of opening goal
65min - Thea Slatyer replaced only a few minutes after coming on, her World Cup hopes in jeopardy.
72min - Captain Cheryl Salisbury takes a free kick towards the Korea goal, however it just passes the outstretched foot of substitute Hayley Crawford running in.
73min - Heather Garriock takes another free kick from left, dangerous set-piece which is right on target, it finds Joanne Peters running in, but her header unfortunately goes just over the crossbar (best chance of game).
76min - Heather Garriock takes a long range shot. flies just past the right upright of the goal.
Australia continue to gather momentum and overpower the Koreans.
84min - Melissa Barbieri makes a good save from the Koreans following a long range, low shot from a free kick. The initial shot is deflected, rebound free and Korean player slides through on the slippery surface, but Barbieri re-adjusts to save.
86min - another opportunity for Australia from a free kick, however it is cleared by the Koreans, then Korea counter attack forcing goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri to make a diving save to her left.
90min Final Score. Australia 0 - 0 Korea Republic.

This page is produced by Women's Soccer in Australia

All Enquiries should be directed to: Ph (02) 6281 7999 or Fax (02) 6281 7975
matildas@ausport.gov.au