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Well done girls, an awesome effort!!!
Matildas draw with Norway
By Adrian Warren
September 16, 2007
SUPER substitute Lisa De Vanna again produced the goods off the bench as Australia moved a big step closer to the Women's World Cup quarter-finals in China with a 1-1 draw against European giant Norway.
De Vanna, who scored twice in the Matildas' 4-1 opening rout against Ghana last Wednesday after her half-time introduction, secured a precious point with a spectacular 83rd minute equaliser in the Group C match in Hangzhou last night.
De Vanna hit the post in the 53rd minute and troubled Norway with her pace before lashing home her third goal of the tournament from the edge of the area.
The result kept Australia on top of the group, above Norway on goal difference and one point above Canada, who defeated Ghana 4-0 last night.
The Matildas now need just a draw from their final group game against Canada on Wednesday to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time in four attempts.
Matildas coach Tom Sermanni felt his side was good value for the point.
"We did tremendously well to come back in the second half and I thought we finished the game really strongly, so there's lots of positives from tonight," Sermanni said.
He said he had told his players at half-time to "calm down a little bit".
"I thought in the first half we were kind of nervy and really didn't get into rhythm, and the few times we did get into a passing rhythm we created really great chances," he said.
"But we turned the ball over a little bit too easily.
"We got a little bit adrift of them in midfield. We did a little bit of organisational change and a substitution change and I think that settled us down and in the second half we got back to playing how we can play."
Sermanni described De Vanna's goal as "absolutely sensational", and he praised her for changing the complexion of the game and unsettling Norway's defence.
"Norway keep possession really well and defend really well, but as soon as Lisa came on, that changed almost immediately and they started panicking," Sermanni said.
Norway made a perfect start with Ragnhild Gulbrandsen slotting the ball home in the fifth minute.
Australia had a good share of play and created several chances, but couldn't convert.
Matildas coach Tom Sermanni, who made six changes to his starting side, injected two more strikers, Sarah Walsh and Caitin Munoz, after half-time.
Australia had a good spell in the middle of the first half, during which they created a number of opportunities.
Norway goalkeeper Nordby tipped over a chip by Joanne Burgess and also stopped shots from Heather Garriock and Collette McCallum.
The Europeans also fashioned chances in the latter stages of the half.
While Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri tipped a shot against the post in the 52nd minute, Australia created most of the decent efforts after the break.
Skipper and defender Cheryl Salisbury forced two saves from Norby and headed just wide in the final moments, while McCallum had two shots and Dianne Alagich another.
In other matches, Brazil thrashed China 4-0 to dent the home team's hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Brazil now has six points to top Group C, with just Denmark to play on Wednesday.
The Danes meanwhile defeated New Zealand 2-0 to sit alongside China on with three points.
China must now defeat New Zealand in Tianjin on Wednesday and hope Denmark gets nothing out of Brazil.
Denmark beat a determined but outclassed New Zealand 2-0 to keep alive their slim hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
AFP
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