Matildas not thinking about other countries in quest to top Asian Cup group
MATILDAS attacker Kyah Simon says knowing how many goals Australia needed to leapfrog Japan to top Group B had no bearing on their 8-0 rout of Vietnam.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MATILDAS attacker Kyah Simon says knowing how many goals Australia needed to leapfrog Japan to top Group B had no bearing on their 8-0 Asian Cup rout of Vietnam in Amman.
It was Simon’s opening goal when the clash was just seven minutes old that set the Matildas on their way to gripping pole position of their pool and put her on the way to the best player of the match award, a prize that is voted by an Asian Football Confederation panel of experts.
REPORT: Matildas make resounding Asian Cup statement
GOT IT: Australia could be number one in world
Australia now has four points, equal with Japan but a four-goal better goal difference, South Korea has two points and Vietnam is yet to register a point.
With Friday’s adversary Japan was held to a scoreless draw by South Korea in the earlier clash after beating Vietnam 4-0 in its opener, Simon said the focus wasn’t on bagging a cricket score after the Matildas match kicked off about 70 minutes later at Amman Stadium.
“It didn’t make it easier on our behalf knowing the score of the other game,’’ Simon said.
“We wanted to win and put away a few goals and we weren’t thinking too much about the result.
“(But) it was a good result for us, it’s good for the confidence and nice to score a few goals and it was a good all around team performance, we’ve got a lot more left to achieve.”
After Simon’s opener, the Matildas pummelled Vietnam with goals from Alanna Kennedy, Chloe Logarzo, Emily van Egmond, a brace from Sam Kerr, an own goal and a final strike from Hayley Raso ending the rout.
Simon’s performance pleased Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, her first official clash since picking up an injury after the W-League grand final win for Melbourne City 50 days ago. He also praised teenagers Alex Chidiac, 19, and Ellie Carpenter, 17.
The pair made their Asian Cup tournament debuts with Carpenter having a super match as a frequent overlapping left back while Chidiac had a huge impact in the playmaker’s role.
“I thought they were both pretty good,’’ Stajcic said.
“Ellie gave us a lot of energy and a lot of forward runs and set up a couple of goals for us; I think she set up the first goal which was really nice.
“Chids (Chidiac) and Ellie combine well together.
“Chids is such a tidy little player and she would have been a bit nervous and I thought she was good.
“She could have got a couple of goals I thought the same with Ellie.”
Originally published as Matildas not thinking about other countries in quest to top Asian Cup group
That’s a wrap! Thrillers, blowouts in Sariah Paki, Madison Ashby 7s finale
There were bursts of speed, great skills in wild winds and multiple scorers as the Sariah Paki and Madi Ashby 7s girl’s rugby season came to an end. Stars and result wrap from grand final day.
QGSSSA Track and Field champs: Mega picture gallery
Pace-setters Moreton Bay College snared an incredible ninth consecutive QGSSSA Track and Field title last Thursday at QSAC. See over 100 images from the day here with our mega gallery.