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Take a bow Matildas. As we look ahead to the men’s World Cup in a few weeks, we might even afford a brief glance ahead to the women’s version next year. So far the Matildas have ticked all the boxes in what is shaping up as an exciting Asian Cup campaign.
Needing to finish in the top three of the eight team tournament to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in Germany, the first objective was to finish in the top two in the group to ensure a semi final spot. Tick.
With China, South Korea and Vietnam in the group, the key game leading into the tournament was always going to be the second one, against South Korea.
China, as the highest ranked of the three, was always bound to be the toughest, while Vietnam was expected to be the pushover.
Given that the Korean’s managed a surprise draw in their opener against China, the second game would take on even more significance.
After the second string side got the job done against Vietnam in the tournament opener on Wednesday in Chengdu, China, it was time for Tom Semanni to roll out the big guns last night in the crucial game against South Korea, and what an outstanding job they did, winning it 3-1.
The experienced Semanni certainly took a gamble by starting the Vietman game with his seconds, but what a masterstroke it has turned out to be.
The likes of Leena Khamis, Lydia Williams, Kylie Ledbrook, Thea Slatyer, Tameka Butt, Aivi Luik, Kyah Simon and Sally Shipard repaid the faith shown in them, and after a nervous start they got on top of Vietnam, eventually running out 2-0 winners.
Khamis, in particular, was a constant nuisance with her willingness to chase down everything and throw herself about up front. She was rewarded with the opener.
It is a measure of the growing depth of the women’s game in Australia that the second 11 can step in in such an important game and get the job done. It is also a big compliment to the W-League.
There were a couple of first team players in the defence, with Lauren Colthorpe, in particular, outstanding at right back, while Servet Uzunlar, the Paul Okon or Ned Zelic of the women’s game with her comfort on the ball, played a steady hand in central defence.
Last night it was time to bring out the fresh first 11, veterans Lisa De Vanna, Heather Garriock, Collette McCallam, Kate Gill and Melissa Barbieri joined by some fresh faces in Teigan Allen, Elise Kellond-Knight and Kim Carroll.
Add a few players who have been around the scene for a few years in Clare Plokinghorne, Colthorpe and Uzunlar, and you have a nice blend of youth and experience.
The team appears to have evolved since the sensational effort at the 2007 World Cup.
The stars though remain the left footed trio of De Vanna, Garriock and McCallum.
The latter pulls the strings from her deep-lying central midfield spot, Garriock adds the drive and quality on the ball from the left side of central midfield, while De Vanna is simply dynamite, blessed with incredible pace and wonderful ability on the ball.
She is the Harry Kewell of the women’s game, minus the injuries. Fingers crossed Kewell can emulate De Vanna’s performance come June 13.
What a luxury it was for Sermanni that he could bring someone of the quality of Sarah Walsh off the bench, not to mention the exciting talent that is Samantha Kerr, sister of AFL star Daniel.
What has also been impressive about the two games so far is the adjustment from the 4-4-2 used at the last World Cup to a FFA regulated 4-3-3. So far it looks a seamless transition, and Semanni and his girls should take a bow for that.
While there was some space between the three lines last night, what was so impressive about the performance was the organisation and the seamless shuffling of positions.
Everyone knew their jobs, and did them very well.
The Matildas controlled the match with both brawn and brain. Not only did they impose their superior physicality on the diminutive South Korean’s, they controlled the game with their good use of the ball.
Carroll’s opener, not surprisingly from a set piece, led to an avalanche as South Korea melted, physically and mentally. Having to use their first 11 in a tough opener, two days earlier, took its toll.
To their credit, they fought back in the final 15 minutes, but the Matlida’s defence these days appears to be made of stern stuff, with Uzunlar controlling things.
Now Sermanni’s girls take on China on Sunday (6pm EST on ABC 2), knowing a point will be enough to top the group.
The key game now, irrespective of whether it will be against North Korea or Japan, comes in the semi final four days later.
Win the semi final and the Matildas are on their way to Germany. Otherwise it’s a cut-throat third-fourth place play-off on Sunday, May 30.
Exciting and nervous times ahead, but on the evidence of their work so far, the Matildas look well equipped to keep ticking the boxes.
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