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The Qantas Matildas lost 1-0 to England this morning (Aust time) at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor, in game three of the Australians’ five-match tour enroute to the Women’s World Cup. England immediately set the visitors reeling with a goal in the 21st second of play, in this first ever senior women’s international between the two countries. England, who narrowly missed qualification for this year’s World Cup and are building towards the 2005 European Championship, are currently ranked 13th in the world, two places above Australia. "You can’t start a game at this level the way we started today and expect to be successful," said National Coach Adrian Santrac after the match. "We were a goal down before 30 seconds, and from there we were always chasing the game. While the players gave everything physically to turn the result around, it was a performance that lacked composure and control. The first half showed passages of very good football and we were unfortunate not to be on the scoreboard by half-time." Santrac added, "The first half performance was an improvement from (how we played in) China, and showed we are moving in the right direction. The second half left a lot to be desired. We’ve conceded a goal in the first 15 minutes of each of these three matches." "We are expecting a similar type of game against Scotland on Saturday and I expect a much stronger and more consistent 90 minutes against them." The Qantas Matildas were without key defender Dianne Alagich, sidelined by a slight hamstring strain. The opportunity was presented for Karla Reuter to make her starting eleven debut in what was only her second appearance for the Qantas Matildas, and played the full ninety minutes. England’s quickfire goal came from a fast break after England had won the ball close to half-way. Star striker Kelly Smith then provided the inch-perfect through-ball setting up teammate Rachel Yankey with only the keeper to beat and finished the chance well. Australia soon had opportunities for the equaliser, Joanne Peters striking high, Heather Garriock shooting wide of the target, and a long cross from Rhian Davies hitting the crossbar. England played a good pressing game and were solid in defence. The Qantas Matildas’ best chance of the match fell to Kelly Golebiowski in the 21st minute, but she was unable to beat goalkeeper Rachel Brown in the one-on-one opportunity. Another Peters shot, in the dying minutes of the first half, was blocked by the home defence. Golebiowski had a rare Australian chance for the second half in the 59th minute, but her attempted flick over the keeper went wide. Qantas Matildas goalkeeper Cassandra Kell was kept fairly busy in this half denying England a stronger lead, her best save tipping over a solid effort from Rachel McArthur in the 76th minute. Australia displayed more urgency near the end of the game, but were unable to snatch the equaliser. The Qantas Matildas travel to Scotland on Friday afternoon (local time) with little time to settle before the midday Saturday kickoff against the Scots in Livingston. MATCH DETAILS : ENGLAND 1 (Rachel Yankey 1m) Date : Thursday 4 September 2003, 7.15pm kickoff AUSTRALIA Lineup : Cassandra Kell (gk) Gillian
Foster (Pam Grant 57’), Sacha Wainwright, Cheryl Salisbury (c), Rhian Davies (Hayley
Crawford 89’), Kelly Golebiowski (April Mann 71’), Joanne Peters, Heather
Garriock, Karla Reuter, Tal Karp (Bryony Duus 61’), Danielle Small (Taryn
Rockall 71’). England Lineup : Rachel Brown (gk), Leanne Champ,
Rachel Unitt, Katie Chapman, Casey Stoney, Mary Phillip (c), Kristy Moore (Jody
Handley 46’), Vicky Exley (Rachel McArthur 60’), Carmaine Walker (Kelly
McDougall 70’), Kelly Smith (Amanda Barr 46’), Rachel Yankey (Sue Smith 67’). Qantas Matildas Schedule – Pre-World Cup Tour : Sun 24 August – Travel to China The FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003 is scheduled for 20 September to 12 October. The Qantas Matildas open their campaign on Sunday 21 September against Russia in Los Angeles, followed by China on Thursday 25 September in Los Angeles, then Ghana on Sunday 28 September in Portland. The Final Draw for the 2003 Women’s World Cup, held on 17 July, produced the following groups – Group A – USA, Sweden, Nigeria, DPR Korea The full match schedule is available at www.fifaworldcup.com USA was named as the new host nation after FIFA moved the event from original host China following the outbreak of the SARS virus. USA 2003 is the fourth Women’s World Cup, and will be Australia’s third consecutive Women’s World Cup finals appearance. The Qantas Matildas placed 12th (of twelve nations) in Sweden 1995, and 11th (of sixteen) in USA 1999.
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