Tour of North Korea & China
4-19 August 2000

Overall play was a lot more even than the three-goal difference suggests, but Australia's lack of cutting edge up front is the one area requiring improvement.  The bumpy, narrow pitch did not suit either team but the usually slick Chinese outfit still managed to put away their chances.

The Matildas made a great start in the sweltering heat and humidity and more than matched a nervous China for the opening half hour before then conceding a goal.  With the Australians backing off, midfielder Liu Ailing drilled the ball into the far corner of goal.

The Matildas created a few good attacks, Sacha Wainwright pushing forward and providing the crosses, but the chances went begging.

Australia were still fighting hard when China's 77th minute second goal all but killed off the visitors' chances.  Inside the 6-yard box surrounded by defenders, superstar Sun Wen somehow managed to back heel the ball into goal.

Pushing up in search of a goal, the tiring Australian defence was caught out with five minutes remaining.  Striker Jin Yan got in on the end of a ball over the top and lobbed home for a final score of 3-0.

Best for Australia were midfielder Amy Wilson, and defenders Wainwright and Cheryl Salisbury.

"No complaints with the result, although 3-nil flattered them," said National Coach Chris Tanzey.  "I didn't learn anything new about them, but a heap about us.  The tour has been very worthwhile from my point of view.  I'm looking forward to the next game."

Australia - Wheeler, Salisbury, Wainwright, Alagich, Tann-Darby (Small 40), Wilson, McShea (Hepperlin 38), Forman, Duus (Garriock), Hughes, Ferguson (Golebiowski).

Australia travels to Shanghai tomorrow morning for the return match against China, the Matildas' final international before the Olympic Games kickoff on 13 September.

Next Match - Thu 17 August - Shanghai, China
7.45pm    Australia v China    (China is AEST less 2 hours)

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