Canberra United defender Thea Slatyer captained the Matildas to a 2-0 win over Vietnam in their opening AFC Asian Cup match in China.
Canberra United defender Thea Slatyer captained the Matilda- to a 2-0 win over Vietnam in their opening AFC Asian Cup match in China.
Slatyer donned the captain-s armband in the victory which has got the Australian campaign off to a solid, if not spectacular, start. Goals from Leena Khamis in the 29th minute and a Kylie Ledbrook penalty after 51 minutes ensured a winning opening to the tournament for Tom Sermanni-s squad but they were made to work all the way by a lucky Vietnam.
Fellow Canberra United players Sally Shipard, sporting a new look haircut, and goalkeeper Lydia Williams also started the match.
The Matilda-s second pool match sees them face Korea Republic on Friday evening with the group stages concluded when Australia plays China on Sunday. The Matildas must finish third, or better, in the competition in order to qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women-s World Cup.
Australia 2 Vietnam 0
Goals: Leena Khamis 29-, Kylie Ledbrook 51- (pen)
Team: 18. Lydia Williams (gk), 3. Karla Reuter, 5. Lauren Colthorpe (31. Teigen Allen 64-), 6. Servet Uzunlar (22. Sam Kerr 54-), 10. Kylie Ledbrook, 13. Thea Slatyer, 15. Sally Shipard, 17. Kyah Simon, 19. Leena Khamis, 24. Tameka Butt, 27. Aivi Luik
Unused substitutes: 1. Melissa Barbieri (gk), 4. Clare Polkinghorne, 7. Heather Garriock, 9. Sarah Walsh, 11. Lisa De Vanna, 12. Katie Gill, 16. Elise Kellond-Knight, 23. Kim Carroll, 25. Casey Dumont (gk)
GROUP STAGES
Wednesday 19/5/10
Australia v Vietnam
Won 2-0 (Leena Khamis 29-, Kylie Ledbrook 51- (pen))
Friday 21/5/10
Korea Rep v Australia @ 1700-1900 LIVE on ABC1
Sunday 23/5/10
China PR v Australia @ 1800-2000 LIVE on ABC2
SEMI FINALS
Thursday 27/5/10
TV Coverage @ ONE OF EITHER: LIVE 18:00-20:30 ABC2
or
DELAY 22:15-00:45 ABC2 (determined by Australia’s participation – TX the match Australia play)
3rd/4th PLACE PLAY OFF
Sunday 30/5/10 @ 1800-2030
or
If AUSTRALIA qualify straight to Final the following TV times will apply
AFC ASIAN CUP FINAL
Sunday 30/5/10 @ 2130-0000
3rd/4th Place: Monday 31/5/10 @ 0000-0200 ABC2
Photo: Paul Lau
