Matildas into ASEAN Championship final

The Matildas advanced to the final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championships tonight with a 5-1 victory over Myanmar (Burma) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The result comes at a cost with Clare Polkinghorne and Amy Chapman suspended for tomorrow’s title decider against the host nation.

The Matildas had the perfect start when Chapman opened the scoring in the third minute after the Myanmar keeper had fumbled the ball.

Australia’s second goal came at the 19 minute mark when Ella Mastrantonio placed the ball well behind the defence for Yesim Servet Uzunlar to strike from 10 metres out.

After 27 minutes a penalty was awarded to the Matilda’s after Jenna Tristram was brought down. Lauren Colthorpe duly converted low to the right post.

Tristram scored Australia’s fourth goal just before half time thanks to clever build-up play by Kim Carroll and Colthorpe.

Elise Kellond-Knight won a second penalty for Australia after 65 minutes, which was converted by Carroll, but resulted in an ankle injury for Kellond-Knight.

On the 72nd minute mark Australia was down to 10 women when Polkinghorne was shown her second yellow card – this time in the penalty box – and Myanmar converted a penalty of their own.

Five minutes later Chapman was sent off for a second yellow, but the nine-player Matilda’s still held on for the win.

Australia meet Vietnam in the Final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championships at 6pm local (10pm AEDT) on Monday October 20.

Published on October 20, 2008