The Westfield Matildas advanced to the final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championships tonight with a thrilling 5-1 win over Myanmar (Burma) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - although it is a victory that comes at a cost with two players suspended for the Final against Vietnam on Monday.
The Westfield Matildas will be the second team to play in the final of an ASEAN Championship in under a week, after the Young Socceroos won the U19 ASEAN Championship in Bangkok last week.
Although coach Tom Sermanni opted for a young squad for this championship, the Westfield Matildas made a strong start when Amy Chapman opened the scoring in the 3rd minute after a fumbling error from the Myanmar goalkeeper, who was under pressure from the lively play of Chapman, Uzunlar and Tristram. Australia's second goal came in the19th minute when Mastrantonio placed the ball well behind the defence to Uzunlar who finished it off with precision from 10 metres out.
The first of three penalties awarded in the match came when Colthorpe converted low to the right post after Tristram was brought down in the box in the 27th minute. A dominant display by Australia in the first half was capped off by a fourth goal from Tristram in the 42nd minute when the 'keeper was left stranded after some clever lead-up play from Carroll and Colthorpe.
The second half started where the first left off, with Australia again playing convincingly. Kellond-Knight won a second penalty for Australia in the 65th minute which was converted by Carroll, but resulted in an ankle injury for Kellond-Knight.
Seven minutes later, Australia was down to 10 women when Polkinghorne was shown her second yellow card - this time in the penalty box - which Myanmar converted.
Myanmar stepped up a gear with the numerical advantage and soon had Australia under more pressure with Chapman sent off for a second yellow in the 77th minute but, despite being down to 9 players, the Westfield Matildas held on for the win.
Sermanni said he was very happy with the result, but disappointed to be without Polkinghorne and Chapman for the Final on Monday.
"Myanmar can be a very difficult side. They have a very dogged and determined defence so our plan was to try to score early to relieve the pressure, and that's exactly what we did.
"The loss of two players through suspension will have an impact on us. It just shows how quickly a squad of 18 can be whittled down."
Sermanni said that Elise Kellond-Knight is also doubtful for Monday due to the ankle injury she sustained in the match, potentially leaving 13 outfield players to choose from.
"The Final will be a good test, as the local supporters are very patriotic, and will be out in force to support their home team.
"I'm comfortable with where we are going into the Final. We've improved every match of the tournament so far and we should continue to do so for the Final also."
The Westfield Matildas meet Vietnam in the Final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championships at 6.00pm local (10.00pm AEDT) on Monday 20 October, with Thailand v Myanmar in the 3rd/4th place play-off at 3.00pm local (7.00pm AEDT).