Young Matildas eliminated from World Championship

The Australian Young Matildas have been eliminated from the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship despite drawing 1-1 with European champions and host-nation Russia.

Australia needed a win to progress to the quarter finals after earlier group matches resulted in a 3-0 victory over a New Zealand and a 2-0 loss against South American champions Brazil.

The Young Matildas held the ascendancy over their highly-rated opponents for lengthy periods but were unable to translate that dominance to the scoreboard. The tone of the match borne out by the match statistics which saw the Young Matildas record 21 attempts at goal to Russia’s 9, whilst winning the corner count 13-2.

Coach Alistair Edwards brought in three new players to the starting line-up with striker Servet Uzunlar, plus midfielder Amy Jackson and Amy Chapman all impressing in the first starting appearance of the tournament.

Sasha McDonnell had the best of the first half opportunities notably failing to convert a Sally Shipard cross with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Australia continued their momentum after the interval but still could not find the all-important opening goal. Finally it was Russia, completely against the run of play, who scored with star player Elena Danilova setting up Anna Kozhnikova for a 75th minute strike.

Australian defender Danielle Brogan equalised five minutes from time with a brave diving header to convert a Collette McCallum free-kick.

Australia continued to lay siege to the Russian goal until the final whistle with Shipard hitting the roof of the net and a McCallum free kick being cleared off the line.

However Brazil’s scoreless draw with New Zealand meant they topped the group on five points ahead of Russia on goal difference, with Australia eliminated despite accruing four points.

“We will definitely leave with our heads held high,” said Edwards.

“We dominated the game from start to finish and created chance after chance, but just couldn’t put the ball away.”

“I thought we absolutely battered them and we are gutted; we thoroughly deserved to be in the quarter finals.”

Australian Line-up: Lydia Williams (gk); Clare Polkinghorne, Kim Carroll, Danielle Brogan, Olivia Kennedy; Sally Shipard (c), Collette McCallum, Amy Jackson (Caitlin Cooper 68’), Amy Chapman (Kylie Ledbrook 62’), Sasha McDonnell, Servet Uzunlar (Jenna Tristram 77’)

Unused substitutes: Alison Logue (gk), Kate Stewart (gk), Leah Blayney, Grace Gill, Renee Cartwright, Leena Khamis, Nicole Somi. Cautions: McDonnell 16’.