The Qantas Matildas put in a solid performance for their 13-0 victory over the tournament's third-rated side Papua New Guinea tonight on match day three of the OFC Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Canberra, keeping on track with three wins from their three matches.
With the bye on Friday, the Australians now have three days' rest before facing main rivals New Zealand in the crunch match on Sunday.
The Qantas Matildas tonight performed in much better style than previously in the week, allowed to express themselves in a more accustomed fashion against the more open, attacking formation of their opponent Papua New Guinea.
Australia outclassed Papua New Guinea throughout, the visitors rarely in possession of the ball but fought bravely until the end. The home side displayed good periods of sharp passing combinations and movement off the ball, more and more pleasing to the eye as the game went on. This was none more evident than in the second half with the injection of midfielder Heather Garriock off the bench, working in synch with a front line led by fellow substitute Kelly Golebiowski. This was translated into goals with five goals in the first fifteen minutes after half-time.
April Mann top scored for the match with four goals before being given an early rest ten minutes into the second half. Mann also achieved the same number in the opener against Samoa, her only other appearance for the week, and her eight goal haul takes her to the top of the scorer's list for the tournament. Mann now boasts a total of 13 goals in her 16 international matches.
Garriock secured her first hattrick, whilst Golebiowski added a pair to take her record to 13 goals from her last 15 appearances. Defender Cheryl Salisbury scored twice to extend her lead as the Qantas Matildas' all-time highest goalscorer with 27.
The Australian account was opened five minutes into the game, Mann converting a Bryony Duus cross. Joanne Peters doubled the lead, driving her shot on the run from a Salisbury and Sacha Wainwright build-up. Salisbury was next on the spot to head home after a Danielle Small effort was parried by the keeper. Mann took the scoreline to 4-0 three minutes before the break, finishing a Dianne Alagich cutback.
Alagich scored with a header less than a minute into the second half, before Mann scored two in a row, first to sweep home a fantastic Wainwright cross, and then a neat chip over the keeper. Small provided a through ball allowing Golebiowski to drill her shot, and Garriock then used her speed to good effect to take the score to 9-0.
Garriock served up an inviting ball across the face of goal for Golebiowski to slide in at the far post, before Garriock struck with a beautiful lob over the goalkeeper. Salisbury was successful from the penalty spot after Golebiowski was taken down in the box surging towards goal, and the final goal was a Garriock low bobbling strike which found its way under the keeper.
Australia also had a further two first-half goals disallowed for offside.
National Coach Adrian Santrac was much more satisfied with the performance, leading into Sunday's clash. "Our intensity in the first half was good but lacked composure, but in the second half we had the composure to go with it. For a fair portion of the second half we made some great moves, very simple but very clinical. We're certainly warming up for Sunday's game. We were a lot more clinical tonight - our final passes and crosses were far better than in the previous two games."