An illness-depleted Australian Women's Soccer Team (the Qantas Matildas) put up a solid performance before losing 2-0 against world number four-ranked China overnight in Jinan. Nine of the 19-strong Australian side had been suffering from a gastric infection on the day of the opening match of their Pre-World Cup Tour.
The Qantas Matildas took the game to China, runners-up at the last Women's World Cup of 1999, with the Australians dominating play for good periods of a fast-paced first half and unlucky not to take the lead. China however went in at the break with a one-goal advantage before lifting their play for the second half, but found 15-ranked Australia strong in defence.
"China showed that they are a very well drilled team, and their preparations are well underway," said National Coach Adrian Santrac after the match. "The result in itself is disappointing, from the point of view that we should have been 2-0 up before China scored their first goal, and that goal was on a breakaway counter-attack."
Santrac added, "Our players gave everything they had ' we couldn't ask for anything more. There were some important lessons that we picked up from tonight's game and we'll be stronger for the next game and continue to develop as we move closer to the World Cup."
Suffering the worst from the gastric infection, the trio of co-vice captain and New York Power midfielder Joanne Peters, defender Rhian Davies, and goalkeeper Amy Beattie were ruled out of contention for the match.
Teenage defender Karla Reuter, called into the World Cup team three weeks ago to replaced the injured Thea Slatyer, celebrated her senior international debut, coming in off the bench in the 78th minute.
Both Australia and China are drawn together in Group D of next month's Women's World Cup, and scheduled to face each other on 25 September in the second of the three group matches.
"Our form today and in September will be very different," said Santrac. "We will, as will China, have some different players, and we expect our form to be very different come the World Cup."
Not overawed by the calibre of their opponent, the Qantas Matildas were soon on the attack, and almost took the lead in the 12th minute, Danielle Small hassling well to win the ball before finding April Mann whose strike curled past the top corner of goal. The following minute, a Heather Garriock cross set up Small, only for the danger to be cleared by the Chinese defence.
Soon after, on the quarter-hour mark, the home team snatched the opening goal with a quick counter-attack, Teng Wei finishing the move with a neat shot. Seven minutes before half-time, a promising Australian attack resulted in a corner kick, a good chance headed over by captain Cheryl Salisbury.
Six minutes after half-time, China doubled their lead with a long switching ball to the left. The resultant shot rebounded off the crossbar, and was headed in by Pan Lina. China continued to test the visitors on the quick break, with the Australians getting back well to cover. The Qantas Matildas' best chance for the half came with five minutes remaining, Garriock's fantastic left foot attempt on the turn from the edge of the box flying just past the top corner of goal after good lead up work from Dianne Alagich.
China almost increased their lead in the dying three minutes, but for a top class save by Australian goalkeeper Cassandra Kell to stop a Chen Jinyu rocket, and then a great chase down by debutante Reuter to prevent a one-on-one chance with the keeper.
The Qantas Matildas travel to Qingdao tomorrow afternoon in preparation for Sunday night's return match against China. After playing her part in Washington Freedom's WUSA championship win over Atlanta Beat in last Sunday's final, forward Kelly Golebiowski is due to join her Australian teammates late tonight.