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| OCEANIA-OFC NEWS |
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April 24, 2002 Australia
U-19 National Team overwhelm an outclassed Tonga Scoring Tonga defended with great determination but, despite an excellent performance by their goalkeeper Likiliki, the experience, skill, and fitness of the Matildas were too much. Australia scored their first goal after five minutes and in the following twenty five minutes added three more. Highlights included Collette McCallum's set plays, scoring twice from long range freekicks and delivering two corners which were converted by Hayley Crawford and Emma Davison. Selin Kuralay came in ten minutes before half time, and finished top scorer with a hattrick. Caitlin Muñoz scored from a McCallum freekick. Defender Thea Slatyer volleyed home an Elissia Canham cross, Amber Neilson nailed a 20 metre drive, and Stacey Stocco nicked in from close range from a Canham cross. Goalkeeper Lisa
Hartley and forward Lisa De Vanna each celebrated their youth international
debut as members of the starting eleven. it was a pleasing
first-up performance. Once we started to adapt to the conditions, including
the hard surface, we started to play some good stuff. Now we're looking
to fine-tune the quality of our passing. Some of the goals were spectacular,
but I am looking forward to improvement in the next game. The Young Matildas face the Cook Islands on Friday who are coached by Maurice Tillotson, former senior National Coach of New Zealand. With Group B the smaller pool (3 teams), this will be Australia's last preliminary match before next Wednesday's semifinals. Current Standings Australia's Next
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