Matildas

[kevrenor]

Australia's 21 women squad for the FIFA Womens World Cup in Germany take on Brasil early in the morning 30 June 1.45am AusEast time in their first game in Group D. The other teams are Norway and Equatorial Guinea. NZ were beaten by Japan 2-1 in their Group B game yesterday.

 

[kevrenor]

Matildas 3-2 winners over Equatorial Guinea in the 2nd game.
Goals to Leena Khamis, Emily van Egmond, and Lisa De Vanna.
2 soft goals coughed up to Anonman by Servet Uzunlar.
Next match is against Norway on Thursday morning (EST) with coverage at 2:00am on SBS 1

 

[Atomic]

It was so frustrating to conceed those two EG goals. Stupid defensive errors - absolutely no excuse for either of them.

Australia absolutely dominated EG. The final score should've been at least 5-0 in my opinion. I hope this doesn't come back to bite the girls in their final group game.

On a side note, I had a good night last night, flicking between the football and Le Tour. It's a shame I had to be up at 6am this morning though... I'm paying for it now.

 

[Atomic]

a draw or better against Norway will see us through.

Statistically speaking, we should beat Norway quite comfortably, but football's a funny game

 

[dibo]

On a side note, I had a good night last night, flicking between the football and Le Tour. It's a shame I had to be up at 6am this morning though... I'm paying for it now.

Two TVs FTW - set them up side by side so I didn't miss anything.

Still, with four and a bit hours sleep I am utterly f**ked today.

 

[kevrenor]

Australia 2 (SImon x2) Norway 1
Into quarter final Sunday 8.30pm

 

[Atomic]

Australia 2 (SImon x2) Norway 1
Into quarter final Sunday 8.30pm

Well done girls... keep up the good work!
verhead:

Tough gig against Sweden coming up

 

[kevrenor]

Match report: http://back-of-the-net.com/2010-2011/Misc/WCW-AUvsNO.htm

 

[yellowcake]

England and Germany fall! (both a.e.t, pso gets France through)

So Japan will be Matilda's s-f opponent should we overcome Sweden.


C'mon Matildas verhead:

 

[Jazzie]

England and Germany fall! (both a.e.t, pso gets France through)

So Japan will be Matilda's s-f opponent should we overcome Sweden.


C'mon Matildas verhead:

Go you girls!!!!

 

[kevrenor]

Coverage from 8:30pm on SBS Two.

Starting lineup: Melissa Barbieri, Ellyse Perry, Caitlin Foord, Servet Uzunlar, Kim Carroll, Elise Kellond-Knight, Emily Van Egmond, Collette McCallum, Heather Garriock, Lisa De Vanna, Kyah Simon.

 

[MrCelery]

Despite bowing out if the Finals, there was plenty to be pleased about in this Matildas squad.

I loved the flair of Caitlin Foord and Kyah Simon. And the midfield work of Van Egmond and McCallum. And the strength and technique of De Vanna.

I felt sorry for Barbieri, who was let down time and again by shocking defensive lapses of her collegues.

Uzunlar is clearly not a defender. The only time she looked good was when she went on a run through midfield. Her defensive positional play and reading of the game was woeful.

I'll leave my last comment for Garriock. Am I missing something? What was she doing in the team? She appeared slow, most of her passes went astray, she never looked in position, and as far as I could tell, was totally ineffectual. I was surprised to see Sermanni leaving her in\on for all the games. Are there no other left-sided players in the squad?

I would liked to have seen more of Ellyse Perry. Her quarter-final goal was a stunner.

Overall, the women's game has improved immensely, and is entertaining to watch. Yes, there are some cringe-worthy moments still. But the open attacking play is very watchable.

Can't wait to see more of this young Matildas squad in future years.

 

[dibo]

The Olympics and the next World Cup will be brilliant tests for the girls. So much of the play looked like a little maturity and game smarts would be helpful...

The Olympic qualifiers are going to be fierce: Australia, China PR, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Thailand.

 

[kevrenor]

A match report at: http://back-of-the-net.com/2010-2011/Misc/WCW-SWvsAU.htm

Need to find two better central defenders (Ellie Brush? and Polks?), and push Collette more into playmaker role.
Have to agree on Garriock ... not at her best.
All in all an exciting bunch of young girls.
I always enjoy watching them, as the Matildas or in the W-League.

BTW, the Young(er) Matildas squad is being brought together as we type ... more talent on the way.

 

[elevated position]

good coverage Kev

 

[kevrenor]

1/9/2011: Australia fell to arch-rivals DPR Korea 1-0 in the final round of qualification for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament London 2012. The Koreans went ahead in the 10th minute with Kim Su Gyong assuredly putting away a cross. Despite some solid chances throughout the match, the Matildas were unable to equalise.

3/9/2011: Australia 5 (Simon 14', Heyman 16'/34', Butt 45' Van Egmond 58') defeated Thailand 1 (Taneekan 59') at the Jinan Olympic Sports Centre in China this evening. The Matildas raced to a 4-0 lead at half-time but struggled to dominate in the second half. The Matildas next play against Japan at the Shandong Sports Center on Monday September, 2011. That game will be televised by ABC at 11.30pm

 

[kevrenor]

05/09/2011: The Matildas were defeated 0-1 by world champions Japan today in the third match of their 2012 Olympic qualification campaign.

Although no score at haf-time the Australians were under pressure and Nahomi Kawasumi scored in the 62nd minute at Shandong Sports Centre in Jinan, China.

The Matildas will be now desperate for wins when they next play China on 8 September and South Korea on 11 September.

 

[kevrenor]

Australia 1 (Emily Van Egmond 62') - China 0
Still a slim chance for qualification - next game Monday vs contender South Korea