Olympic Games ~ Sydney 2000
13-28 September

MATILDAS' GUTSY DRAW AGAINST SWEDEN

16 September 2000
Australia 1 (Cheryl Salisbury 57) drew with Sweden 1 (Malin Andersson 66)
Sydney Football Stadium
Crowd 33,600

A gutsy performance by the Matildas. Under the hammer for most of the game from the direct style of the Swedes, Australia played with great spirit and heart to hold out the Scandinavians. The Matildas then took the lead early in the second half, only to be punished by a poor refereeing decision nine minutes later, allowing the Swedish equaliser.

The amount of constant pressure soaked up by the Australian defence was illustrated in the stats, Sweden firing 18 shots to Australia's five for the duration of the game.

A well-executed 57^th minute goal finally lifted the Aussie spirits, Sharon Black curling a freekick from out on the left in past the far post. Cheryl Salisbury ghosted in unmarked for a diving header, reclaiming the title of Australia's top scorer.

But soon after, Sweden found themselves in behind the Aussie backline, defender Dianne Alagich in pursuit, pulling back her opponent by the shirt two metres outside the box. The referee saw things differently and awarded the penalty, Malin Andersson making no mistake from the spot.

Australia : Wheeler, Salisbury, Wainwright, Alagich, Tann-Darby, Wilson (Black 46), McShea, Forman, Duus (Garriock 77), Ferguson (Golebiowski 78), Hughes.

Sweden : Joensson, Westberg, Toernqvist, Larsson, Bengtsson, Mostroem, Sandell, Nordlund (Fagerstroem 76), Andersson, Ljungberg, Svensson (Sjoegran 54).

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