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USA - Denmark The match was hard fought with end-to-end play producing chances for
both teams. Norway drew first blood in the 75th minute when a cross from
the left side bounced around in front of the net and substitute
Bjorkestrand shot from five yards out. U.S. goalkeeper Mullinix was able
to get a hand on the ball but could not keep it out of the net.
It was the first goal allowed by the USA in the tournament, but they
rallied to equalize just five minutes from the end of regulation. Norway
tried to clear a cross by Cramer but Streiffer got her head on the poor
clearance and put it in for her third goal of the tournament. Regulation
time ended at1-1, but six minutes later French put a short to Bush who
returned it. French tcrossed into a group of players in the penalty box and
Orlando knocked in "the golden goal." Quotes Head Coach Lauren Gregg Orlando Other In the other placement games, Sweden had a fine day, picking up the bronze medal with a 1-0 victory over Finland to add to its Under-18 European Championship also won today. Denmark beat Iceland, 4-3, for 5th place and Germany hammered Australia 4-0 for 7th place. Placement Games
Battling Australians fall to Germany 7Th Place play-off-Germany 4 (Havva Kulta 46 and 67, Madleen Wilder
54, Tanja Vreden 90) A battling effort by Australia proved insufficient as they lost 4-0 to Germany in
the 7th place playoff game.
Australia fought hard and survived the first half which was dominated
territorally by Germany. The crossbar, the post, and some good saves by
Australian keeper Cassandra Kell kept the match scoreless at half-time. The
Australians played effectively in patches and looked likely to hold their own
going into the break.
But an unsettled Australia was immediately punished at the restart, Germany
taking the lead 45 seconds into the half through Havva KultaŐs successful shot at
the near post. Eight minutes later Madleen Wilder struck from wide on the left,
finding the far corner of the net to double GermanyŐs advantage. Australia fell
three goals behind in the 67th minute, Kulta scoring her second with a drive that
slipped under the body of goalkeeper Kell. To their credit , the Australians never
gave up and put in a brave effort throughout the match against a more experienced
and sometimes physical Germany.
Australia was forced to contest the last twelve minutes with ten noticeably
tiring players after a crunching tackle on defender Tracie McGovern saw her
assisted from the field. Three substitutions had already been made and no-one fit
enough remained on the bench as her replacement. The numerical diadvantage
eventually took its toll and GermanyŐs Tanja Vreden headed home their fourth goal
in the last minute of regular time.
"The girls can hold their heads high after this tournament and, even though we
didnŐt get the results, the experience gained has been far more important," said
National Youth Coach Chris Tanzey.
Australia U-21: Kell, McGovern, McShea, Morris, Cavanagh (Bond 74), Revell,
Hepperlin, Small, Ruotolo, Thomas (Halfpenny 54),Channing (~Carney42)
Australia unlucky against Nordic Cup Champions Norway Norway 3: (Ingrid Saetre 37, Anita Rapp 68, Kristin Lie 85) Underdogs Australia deserved better than their 3-1 loss to Norway.
The young and inexperienced Australians, given no choice by any of the other
teams, shocked Norway by taking the early lead. Australia put in their best
performance to date, combining in fantastic fashion to take the game to Norway
for the duration. Australia's concentration remained on playing a short-passing,
technical game, in contrast to Norway's traditional long-ball style.
After just eight mlnutes' Australian captain Kim Revell played a short corner to
Jessica Halfpenny. Receiving the ball back, Revell provided the perfect cross for
Danielle Small to head home strongly.
The favourites equalised eight minutes before the break, a brief lapse in
concentration from the Australians allowed Norway to play three crisp balls with
Ingrid Saetre converting the cross from the right.
Miidway through the second half, Norway claimed the 2-1 lead, an innocent
looking cross deflected into goal by Anita Rapp. Norway closed the door on any
hopes of an Australian leveller with a third goal five minutes from the final
whistle. From 20 metres on the right, Kristin Lie turned and smacked the ball past
stranded keeper Joanne Buland.
Neither side had dominated chances on goal but the referee's display did not help
Australia's cause. Second half substitute Michelle Carney was through on goal
before being sandwiched by two defenders, but play was waved on.
Best today for Australia were Kate McShea, Small, Tracie McGovern, Louisa Bisby,
and Megan Bond.
"I'm really proud of today's performance - the intensity was there," said Assistant
National Coach and National Youth Coach Chris Tanzey. '`l just feel so sorry for the
girls - they deserved at least a draw. Again there were some great individual
performances.
"Australia was the better team," he added. 'But the refereeing was appalling. A lot
of things off the ball were not picked up."
Australia U-21 Butland, McShea, McGovern, Bisby, Small, Leake (Cavanagh 46)
Revell (capt), Hepperlin, Bond, Halfpenny (Carney 65), Channing(Thomas 70).
Australia will now play off for 7th place against Germany who also finished fourth
in their group. A second yellow card for the tournament to Australian defender
Lisa Bisby rules her out for the match.
USA - Finland Game Bush, who suffered a strained MCL in her right knee during pre-Nordic Cup
training camp, saw her first action of the tournament when she replaced
Florance in the 77th minute and almost immediately made an impact. In
the 85th minute Wagner lobbed a cross from the left wing that Danish
goalkeeper Cederkvist misjudged, Bush ran on to the bouncing ball . She
let the hanging cross bounce under her to Bush, who ran onto the ball and
put into an open goal. Quotes Head Coach Lauren Gregg Streiffer Other
By Janene Mar A competitive Australia lost 2-1 in a disappointing result to host nation Iceland this morning (Aust. time) in the second match of the U-21 Nordic Cup in Reykjavik. Australia created some good opportunities on goal throughout the match including a Louisa Bisby freekick which hit the crossbar in the first ten minutes, but were unable to score until the dying minutes. Australia's early attacking rhythm seemed to be lost once a hip injury to midfielder Danielle Small midway through the first half forced her off the field for eight minutes' treatment then substitution. The error count then increased as the strong Iceland closed down the Australians in possession. Following a scoreless first half, Australia came close in the first minute after the restart, Jessica Halfpenny's strike flying just wide of the target. The home side then snatched the lead in the 57th minute, a missed tackle allowing the cross to come in to Rakel Logadottir who made no mistake from 12 metres in front. An inviting Australian cross went through the keeper's legs amongst a crowded box, but still failed to result in a goal. Iceland then doubled their lead in the 76th minute, another defensive error giving Heidi Sigurbergsdottir the successful shot on goal. Australia got on the scoreboard with a minute remaining, Kim Revell (Qld) capping a fine captain's performance with a fantastic strike from an acute angle wide on the right which flew in at the far post. Other best Australian performances came from midfielder Kate McShea (Qld) and strikers Michelle Carney (NSW) and Jessica Halfpenny (SA). "Under the circumstances, being two years younger and limited preparation, the girls are doing everything asked of them," said Assistant National Coach and National Youth Coach Chris Tanzey. "We are physically not prepared for this level of football. Despite this we played some excellent football for long periods but were outmuscled in both penalty boxes. It is as good as we can expect and I was heartened by some excellent individual performances."
USA - Finland Game Comment Other The U.S. defense, anchored by captain Michelle French (University of Portland/Kent, Wash.) and Danielle Slaton (Santa Clara/San Jose, Calif.) shut down the Finnish attack allowing them little opportunity to equalize. Goalkeeper Lakeysia Beene made two saves to earn the shutout. The match also featured Nordic Cup debuts from 18-year old Lauren Orlandos ,17-year old Veronica Zepeda, and 17-year old Aleisha Cramer. Sweden too experienced for Australia in Experience proved the difference as Australia lost 4-1 to Sweden in their
opening match of the U-21 Nordic Cup.
Autralia's captain and most experienced player Kim Revell was ruled out
on the morning of the match through illness, her absence a major blow to
their game plan.
Lapses in concentration at key times in the match proved costly to the
Australians, with three goals conceded a minute before or after the breaks.
Otherwise overall, Australia put on an encouraging performance.
Australia was caught out in the very first minute of play, Sara Larsson
successful with her shot to give Sweden the early lead. Australia soon
settled to combine well through the backs and midfield.
A defensive lapse by Australia in the 36th minute allowed the Swedes to
cut the ball back inside for Sara Thunebro to drive past the keeper to
double their lead.
A minute into the second half, a Swedish shot from the right ran along the
crossbar and was allowed to fall into the path of Jenny Monsen who slotted
the ball home for a three goal advantage.
Australia responded seven minutes later following a positive run up the
right by defender Tracie McGovern. Her throw-in was then cut inside by
Alicia Cavanagh for striker Natalie Thomas to convert the chance for a 3-1
scoreline. Australia then finally relented to a wave of pressure from the
Swedish attack, conceding a fourth goal in the very last minute to Christin
Lilja.
"Our side is giving away 2-4 years in age and the level of international
experience of the Swedes is incomparable," said National Youth Coach Chris
Tanzey. "It certainly hurt us losing our most experienced player Kim
Revell who could have offset some of our disadvantage. We conceded
three goals in the 1st, 46th, and 90th minutes due to lack of experience
and loss of concentration."
"In general, the players can be very proud of their performance,
particularly in the second half," added Tanzey. "We showed we have the
ability to match it with any team here -- all we need is the experience.
Give us another twelve months, and we would have beat this team
comfortably."
Australia U-21
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