Olympic Games - Sydney 2000
13-28 September 2000

 
MATILDAS OPEN OLYMPIC CAMPAIGN WITH LOSS TO GERMANY

13 September 2000
Germany 3 (Inka Grings 35, Bettina Wiegmann 70, Renate Lingor 91)   defeated  Australia 0
Bruce Stadium, Canberra
Crowd 24,800

A disappointing start to the Australian campaign, going down by three goals to the top-rated German outfit. The 3-0 scoreline however flattered Germany, the Matildas putting up a very solid performance from which many positives were drawn for the remaining two preliminary matches.

Particularly in the first half-hour, Australia more than matched the favourites and were unlucky not to draw first blood. Captain Alison Forman threatened with a side volley from an Amy Wilson freekick, whilst defender Sacha Wainwright's blast from distance and Anissa Tann-Darby's header from a Wilson corner brought out the best in the German keeper.

Then in the 35th minute, Germany snatched the lead, a Birgit Prinz drive parried down by the keeper, allowing Inka Grings the chance to slot home the loose ball.

Germany gradually started to penetrate more in the second half, but were held out well by Australia's solid defensive line. In the 62nd minute, a hamstring injury to striker Julie Murray set back the Matildas even further.

A chance of an Australian equaliser, an Alicia Ferguson drive midway through the half, was fingertipped over the bar. Then three minutes later, in the 70th minute, Germany doubled their lead, taking full advantage as Australia gave the ball away deep in midfield, creating a 3 on 2 situation for Germany. Bettina Wiegmann was the scorer with a diving header.

A minute into injury time, Germany scored their third, Renate Lingor's drive from distance flying straight through the keeper's hands.

Australia : Wheeler, Salisbury, Wainwright, Alagich, Tann-Darby, Wilson, McShea, Forman, Duus (Garriock 72), Murray (Golebiowski 62), Hughes (Ferguson 46).

Germany : Rottenberg, Stegemann, Jones, Fitschen, Meinert, Prinz, Wiegmann, Grings, Minnert, Hingst, Lingor.

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