Matildas qualify for FIFA Women's World Cup

The Australian Matildas have qualified for the 2007 FIFA Women’s Cup with a 2-0 win over Japan in the semi final of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide this evening.

The victory has ensured the team will finish as one of the two automatic Asian representatives at the tournament to be held in China mid-next year.

First half goals from Caitlin Munoz and Joanne Peters sealed the win, although a superb defensive display in the second half also played a major role in the success.

The win also makes the Matildas the first Australian team to make the final of an Asian Football Confederation tournament, following Australia's entry into the AFC on January 1 this year.

They team will now have the chance to make further history and become the first Australian team to win an Asian tournament in Sunday’s final against China.

Tonight's result continuing a run of crucial victories over Japan with the Socceroos famously coming from behind to win in Kaiserslautern at the FIFA World Cup in Germany last month. Similarly the Young Matildas also qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with a last-ditch 3-2 over Japan in Malaysia in April. That match also featuring two heroes from tonight in midfielders Sally Shipard and Collette McCallum, while other Young Matildas Leah Blayney, Kylie Ledbrook and Lydia Williams remained on the bench.

Australia started the match in perfect fashion and following a failed clearance by Japan, Shipard drove the ball into the far post where Munoz steered the ball into the net.

Japan turned up the heat and created a number of openings with most notably Shinobu Ohno steering a near point-blank header towards goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri that ricocheted narrowly wide of the post.

The match swung from end to end with both teams looking dangerous on the counter attack. Australia’s pacy forward duo combined in one such instance with Munoz playing a sublime ball behind the defence for Sarah Walsh but the angled shot failed to trouble the keeper.

Similarly Japan broke on a sweeping move downfield but Yuki Nagasato blazed over with Barbieri exposed.

The crucial second goal was perfectly timing coming on the stroke of half time. A typically inch-perfect corner was whipped in from the left by Heather Garriock and Japanese goalkeeper Hiromi Isozaki spilled the ball under pressure with Peters hitting the back of the net from close range.

On the hour mark Australia went close to putting the match out of Japan’s reach with Shipard twice coming close to scoring in a matter of moments. The Young Matildas captain sprinting the length of the field as Walsh broke dangerously down the left with a fine run and cross that skimmed past the head of Shipard. Munoz then picked up the ball on the right side and crossed for Shipard who directed the ball agonizingly wide of the post.

Japan increased the attacking raids as they became more desperate with Ohno firing in a good shot from 20 metres but Barbieri continued her good form with a solid take.

The Australian defence lead by captain Cheryl Salisbury remained rock solid throughout the match with Rhian Davies, Heather Garriock, Thea Slatyer and substitute Kate McShea providing impressive support. Regular defender Dianne Alagich played in front of the defence and clearly made a significant defensive contribution to help ensure another cleansheet for Australia.

Aside from the two-match tour of China last month, Australia have now conceded just one goal in 12 international matches dating back to a scoreless draw against the USA last October.

"I don't think I've ever been as proud of a team as I am of this team tonight," said Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.

"I just thought the character and discipline of the players and the way we defended was unbelievable.

"The effect this will have on our team is enormous, because they'll now have belief that they can win against teams ranked higher, teams that are technically among the best, yet look like they belong."

Next year will be the Matildas fourth consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance following previous tournaments in 1995, 1999 and 2003 with Australia having previously qualified through Oceania where one automatic berth was on offer.

China, who qualifies automatically for the FIFA Women’s World Cup as host nation, defeated DPR Korea 1-0 in the second semi final. DPR Korea will now meet Japan on Sunday in the play-off for third place with the winner to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the loser to play-off against a CONCACAF representative.

Finals – Sunday 30 July

3rd-4th playoff - DPR Korea v Japan – Hindmarsh Stadium @ 12:30pm
Final – Australia v China - Hindmarsh Stadium @ 3:30pm

Final Tickets:

Adults - $20; 16 and under - $10, Family (Two adults and two children $30)

Tickets available at the gate or from VenueTix.