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Timko seals Cnadian win over Young Matildas in Thailand - Group A & B wrap - U/19 Womens Championships
Brittney Timko looks to be a star of the tornament after running riot on the Australian defence in the Young Matilda's opening clash against Canada. Timko netted both of Canada's goals as they downed the Australians 2-1 in Bangkok overnight.
The match started poorly with neither side taking a real advantage. 10 minutes in Canada started piling on the preassure with two shots going no more than a metre left of goal. Timko first as she glanced a header towards goal while captain Kara Lang put the ball wide from a free kick. It wouldn't take much longer though as Timko netted from a run which saw Aussie keeper Alison Logue save the first shot, only to deflect it allowing Timko to net the ball a moment later (14', 1-0 Canada)
Five minutes later Timko would prove to be even more trouble as she burst away from the defender and sweetly struck the ball into the back of the net f rom around 18 yards out. There was no way it was going to be stopped as the attacker duely celebrated the goal. (19', Canada 2-0)
The remainder of the half was dominated by Canada but they couldn't extend their lead any further. Knowing their second half had to improve, Australia came out almost a different team. And it showed when one of Australia's key players made a mockery of the Canuck defence, Selin Kuralay dancing with the ball before putting a cross in. Substitute Kylie Ledbrook miskicked the cross however ended up being the perfect layoff for Collette McCallum who scored from about 8 yards out (Canada 2-1, 49').
Australia could well have seen their hard work go down the drain when Aussie keeper Logue was sent off in the 69th minute for handlnig the ball outside the goal area. After using all substitutes at half time, it would be Ledbrook that took the gloves and made a good save from the resulting free kick. Surprisingly, despite being reduced to 10 layers, Australia played strong, occassionally managing to attack the Canadian goal. However the Canadian defence proved tight and there was no way through. The closest Australia came was a Sally Shipard free kick that curled towards goal only for Stacey Van Boxmeer to pull out an amazing save and turn it around the post.
The result remained 2-1 to Canada who outplayed Australia in the first half but found itself against the never-say-die attitude in the second half.
The other group A clash saw the hosts, Thailand, get thumped by the moe experienced and skillful Germany. Germany scored all six of their goals in the opening half and decided to use the second half as a training run as they simply held the Thai's before a 40,000 strong crowd.
While the score was still 6-0 after the first half, it could well have been nine or ten-nil had Germany taken some extra chances. They did manage to open the scoring in the 10th minute however with Anja Mittag scoring easily from directly in front. Simone Laudher pulling the ball back for Mittag who had absolutly no preassure placed on her before scoring the opening for the championship.
Lena Goessling scored the first of her two three minutes later again thanks to a pull back from a teammate. The rout continued when Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi was the woman to take a breakaway on goal and score from it on 17 minutes. Moments before Anne Van Bonn had come extremely close to putting the ball in her own net and pulling one back for the Thai's.
However from here it was quite easy as Thailand proved no opposition to the competition hardened Germans. Okoyino Da Mbabi scored her second on 24 minutes with a simple tap in. The Germans then felt it necessary to take their foot off the pedal until the 40th minute when Goessling's second goal saw her bend the ball into the goal leaving the hapless Thai keeper to watch. Three minutes later Laudher got in on the act as well, tapping into the goal from close range.
It looked like the match would be a blow out result however Germany showed some mercy and played around with the ball in the second half. half-hearted attempts and complete dominance in midfield didn't allow the Thai's a moment of relief.
Group A now sees Germany on top with 3 points (+6 goal difference), Canada second with 3 points (+1), Australia in third with no points (-1) and Thailand last with no pints (-6).
Group B action saw China, expected to perform at this tornament, struggle against Nigeria. It wasn't until the 77th minute that a free kick found Zhang Ying's head, who put the ball into the Nigerian net. Even then though Nigeria piled on the preassure without luck. China lucky to come out 1-0 victors in the end.
Brazil's Kelly scored late in their match against Italy to give the South Americans a 2-1 victory.
Fabiana Costi was found making mistakes under preassure as she put the ball into the back of her own net to provide Brazil with a 1-0 lead on 11 minutes. Marta's pace and presence was felt by Costi who slid into a tackle only to knock it past her keeper.
Italy pulled it back however on 64 minutes when Agnese Ricco ran on from a Alia Guagni, finishing the job. However on 84 minutes Kelly was the one to break the deadlock, bringing down a cross to nail home.
Group B sees Brazil on top with three points (+1, 2 goals), China second with 3 points (+1, 1 goal), Italy third (-1, 1 goal) and Nigeria last (-1, 0 goals).
11 November, 2004 |
