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The Matildas have qualified for the Rio Olympics in August with a hard fought 2-1 win over DPR Korea.
An early goal in the 18th minute from Michelle Heyman set them on their way with Foord poking a ball across goal to an unmarked Heyman who curled it in excellently past DPR Korea keeper Hui.
Our girls were then unlucky not to have a DPR Korea player sent off minutes later when a foul from the Matildas saw a DPR Korea lash out with a kick after the challenge. A yellow card was handed out but many would view that as a red card offence.
DPR Korea needed the win to stay in contention and never gave up with only Matildas’ keeper Lydia Williams ensuring they stayed behind at the break.
The second half was more of the same as DPR Korea went searching for a goal that would eventually come in the 77th minute that kept their hopes of qualifying alive. Su Gyong found herself with the ball on the left side of goal and rocketed the ball to the top right corner.
A nervous few minutes for the Matildas were quickly eased however as Katrina Gorry struck to put them back in front in the 82nd minute. Substitute Simon worked the ball into the box with Foord tapping it up for Gorry who struck low and hard to the bottom left of goal.
The Matildas then did what they had to to see out the remainder of the game which made it four wins from four qualifiers for Australia and more importantly secures their spot at the Rio Olympics in August.
Final Score:
Matildas 2
DPR Korea 1
The mighty Matildas can seal Olympic qualification tonight against DPR Korea at Nagai Stadium. Can our girls make it four wins from four and get an early ticket to Rio? Join The Roar from 9:35pm (AEDT) for the Matildas’ quest to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
Australia have been playing superb football lately.
They started their campaign with a fine 3-1 win over Japan, followed it up with a 9-0 thrashing of Vietnam, and head into this match after a hard fought 2-0 win over Korea Republic.
A win or even a draw tonight would secure a top-two finish, and see the Matildas make their trip to the Olympics in Brazil this August. A loss however would open the door to their opponents tonight and China, who they play on Wednesday, with both still in contention for qualification.
This is a game I struggle seeing the Matildas losing or even drawing though. Our strikers are firing, Kyah Simon has four goals from three games, while Emily van Egmond and Michelle Heyman both have two. Meanwhile our defence has been breached just the once, just after halftime against Japan.
DPR Korea can’t be discounted however, having drawn with China, only denied a win by a last-minute penalty, and edging out Vietnam in their last game 1-0. A result is a result and they are getting them. Could they spring a surprise over what will likely be an experimental Matildas squad?
Join The Roar from 9:35pm (AEDT) to see if the Matildas can book their spot at Rio.
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