Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Australia produced a near-perfect display to secure the inaugural Tournament of Nations title, sounding an early 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup warning as they thrashed Brazil 6-1 in Carson, California.
The win gives Australia an unassailable lead atop the tournament standings, having won three matches.
Needing only a draw to claim the title, Alen Stajcic’s side were ruthless in their pursuit of goals, marking their first international tournament win since their 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup triumph in China.
For the second time in as many matches, Australia fell behind almost immediately – this time through Brazil’s Camila, who steered through the ball through a sea of Australian legs and into the net after less than two minutes.
However, as in their previous fixture against Japan, the Matildas were on level terms in the blink of an eye after Sam Kerr was fouled in the penalty area, giving veteran forward Lisa De Vanna the chance to equalise.
The 32-year-old’s initial effort was saved by debutant goalkeeper Dani Neuhaus, but De Vanna pounced on the rebound to ease Australian nerves.
A Caitlin Foord tap-in gave Australia the lead after Kerr’s pace exposed the Brazilian defence after 32 minutes, and the rampant Matildas continued their scoring spree just two minutes later, with the outstanding Kerr again providing the assist – this time for De Vanna (pictured above).
The goal – her 42nd at international level – meant De Vanna overtook Kate Gill as Australia’s all-time topscorer.
Katrina Gorry then joined Foord as an AFC Women’s Player of the Year winner to get on the scoresheet, deftly beating two defenders before drilling a sublime strike across the goal and in off the post to give Australia a 4-1 half-time lead.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/australia_v_brazil_tourn-of-nations_afp_jpg.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/japan_picc_jpg.html
