The Qantas Matildas have achieved one of their all-time great victories after downing world champion Germany 1-0 in the opening match of the Four Nations Women's Tournament in Quanzhou, China tonight.
A goal from Lisa DeVanna in the 53rd minute was enough to secure victory for the Australians who were playing their first full international since they were knocked out in the quarter finals of the Olympic Games.
It was the first match back in charge for coach Tom Sermanni who took over the team earlier this month.
"It's a great result. The players worked very hard and played exceptionally well. I'm delighted,” said Sermanni.
"It's a very encouraging win and a good result but there is still work to do."
"We had some advantages over them. We arrived a couple of days earlier and we had a short friendly against China on the pitch so we knew what to expect."
"I thought the result was fare. It wasn't the case that we got one chance and took it we created many chances and were unlucky not to score other goals."
Captain Cheryl Salisbury equaled the record for the most number of caps for the Qantas Matildas, when she led the team out tonight.
Salisbury played her 102nd game for the national women's team, equalling Annisa Tann-Darby's all-time record.
Australia will face host nation China on Sunday in their next match and then finish the round-robin tournament by playing Russia on Tuesday.