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From friend to foe - US knocks out Young Matildas
The Australians needed the United States to defeat Spain on the last match day of the group stages, in order for teh Oceania representative to progress. The downside for Australia was they would then face the reigning champions. Fortunatly for Australia the USA overcame the Europeans, if only through a single Jessica Rostedt goal on the 44th minute mark.
That same day Korea defeated Russia in the other group C match, 2-0, although still finished last in the group on goal difference.
Australia headed into the quarter final knowing it was a big ask but not willing to make it easy for the mighty Americans. And Australia seemed to have everything under control for the first half despite being on the defensive alot. When the Young matildas got the ball the US tended to drop back and allow the Aussies to play the ball around the back, forcing them to move the ball through all eleven defenders if they wanted to move forward.
The United States saw the first chances of the match with Megan Rapinoe curling one around the post before another shot forced Aussie keeper Alison Logue to a sharp low save. Australia almost turned the ball into their own net when returning captain Emma Davison cleared the ball belting it inches wide of her own goal. Other than this Australia held the US well and there were no answers from the attack.
The second half seemed much the same with Australia holding strong in defence. However one slip up cost Australia a semi-final place when Stephanie Logterman fired from distance. The ball bounced off Logue's chest in an attempt to catch the shot and Amy Rodriguez finished the job, slotting away into an open net (54 minutes). Rapione hit a beauty of a shot to make it 2-0 to the USA on 68 minutes when her 35 yard piledriver violently curled at the last minute leaving Logue diving to her right as the ball hit the left corner of the net. From side on the shot looked good but the shot from behind the ball showed just how impossible it would have been to save.
Australia pushed forward, in search for a face saving goal, however the United States proved to have a solid defence much like the Australians. The only real chance Australia saw was through an 84th minute Collette McCallum cross that found Catherine Cannuli. However the ball had bounced moments before reaching her and the deflection off her lower shin sent the ball over the crossbar.
Australian coach Adrtian Santrac was pleased however thought things could have been better.
"Our strategy didn't work according to plan," he said. "We wanted to have a defensive structure and an attacking mindset. But, we weren't really able to maintain possession in their third. Obviously, the U.S. is a very, very good team, but I think at half-time we had them frustrated and this was our most controlled performance. We're not happy to lose of course, but if we had converted our clear chance late in game we could have given them a fight." (www.fifa.com)
U.S. coach Mark Krikorian, while pleased with his side's professionalisim, saw the Aussies performcance as a good test for a stronger German side ahead of them. "Let's not sell the Australians short. It was a good firm challenge for us moving into the semi-finals against a very good and organised German team." (www.fifa.com)
22 November, 2004 |
