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Slim hopes crushed as Ghana create history
The small chance of Australia qualifying for the second round of the Womens World Cup were crushed by a Alberta Sackey double for Ghana in the space of five minutes. Now needing three to have any chance to qualify, Australia's Matildas could only manage one through Heather Garriock midway through the second half.
Australia entered the match with the belief that they could overcome the African representatives and give themselves a good chance of progressing. However it was Ghana that started the stronger and quickly it showed, getting a shot in as early as a minute into the match. It was Australia that had the first real chance however three minutes in when garrock got a shot in at 18 yards out. It was easily covered however and the ball was soon back in the Ghana attacking area. This set the tone for the match, Australia defending and counter attacking after enduring two or three shots at a time, much like the match against China.
However unlike against China, Australia found themselves wanting early when the Ghanian captain Alberta Sackey stripped the ball from first half substitute Bryony Duus and fired home from 23 yards out. Melissa Barbieri, replacing number one keeper Cassandra Kell, had already weathered a storm of attacks. This shot catching her completly off guard and allowing her to simply watch as the ball sailed into the top corner (34 min). Five minutes later Alberta Sackey did it again, although Barbieri managed to save the initial attempt, the ball was once again resting in the back of the net on the rebound. Ghana 2, Australia 0 and the Matildas chances of qualifyinf for the quarter finals slipping away fast.
The second half saw Australia come out stronger although it seemed Ghana maintained general control of the match. After a few attempts Garriock finally found the net for Australia. After some fine footwork from Kelly Golebiowski, she put a cross in which found Garriock's feet and consequently the Ghanian goal. The 61st minute goal gave them a slight glimmer of hope. However that hope fades fast as Ghana's attacks continued and Australia's attacks became desperate. In the end the match ended 2-1 and Australia finished last in group D, the win elevating Ghana to third with 3 points.
The win is Ghana's first in a world cup, creating a small piece of history for themselves.
In the other Group D match, China defeated Russia 1-0. This result made sure Australia wouldn't qualify even had they beaten Ghana but for China it means avoiding Group C winners Germany in the quarter finals.
After numerous attacking moves from China early it was Bai Jie that managed to beat the offside trap and round the keeper, tapping in with the right foot to give China a 1-0 lead on 16 minutes. However once again China found themselves in the position of all the attack but no finishing as Russia found it hard to get a shot in on the China goal. In the end China came away with the three points and the group lead, but unmipressive form from the world number 4 leave other nations thinking they will have a genuine chance.
29 September, 2003 |
