The Qantas Matildas defeated Scotland 1-0 overnight (Aust time) at City Stadium, Livingston, in game four of the Australians' five-match tour enroute to the Women's World Cup, their first victory after losses to China and England.
The Qantas Matildas will take confidence from a much more solid performance, although were unable to put more chances away after taking the early lead. The team now heads to Canada for their last warm-up match in their final week before travelling to Los Angeles and moving into World Cup mode.
"This game was more pleasing ' the performance, especially in the first half, was very good," said National Coach Adrian Santrac after the match. "We started the game very well and extremely positively and had some fluent and effective passages of play. We created several chances in the first half and will have to work on our finishing to ensure that we close out games when the opportunities are there. A very positive result and we're looking forward to settling now in North America coming into our final preparations for the World Cup."
The Qantas Matildas again missed the services of key defender Dianne Alagich, although this was more of a precautionary measure following a slight hamstring injury.
The Qantas Matildas kicked off in attacking mode and were rewarded in the 5th minute of play with the coveted goal which breaks the Australians' recent goal drought. Midfielder Bryony Duus served in a fantastic freekick from wide on the left which captain Cheryl Salisbury headed in at the near post. Salisbury now extends her lead as Australia's all-time top scorer with her 28th goal.
Relieved to have finally found the net early, the Qantas Matildas continued to push forward and enjoyed much of the possession. Rhian Davies and Heather Garriock had chances within the first quarter-hour. Scotland, midway through the half, then gained a little momentum in attack. Star striker Julie Fleeting had the chance to level the score but her headed attempt to finish a freekick flew over the crossbar.
Australia regained the ascendancy for the last ten minutes before the break, Garriock threatening in sight of goal and Sacha Wainwright surging up the left flank and providing inviting crosses. Gill Foster had a shot from a Wainwright cross, and Kelly Golebiowski was sent through on goal with a Garriock through ball but the striker struck wide of the mark. A long range Scotland effort was saved by goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri just before the half-time whistle.
Early in the second half, a neat combination between Garriock and Golebiowski set up Garriock behind the defence, but her shot from just inside the box flew wide. As the game wore on, Scotland came back into the game, but the visitors defence was able to prevent any real threats on goal. Scotland's best chance for the period, with seven minutes remaining, from fairly close range, was sent side.
A Qantas Matildas corner created a final chance to double the lead in the 89th minute, but Salisbury's header was this time collected by the keeper. Scotland made it a nervous final few moments for the visitors with a quick counter-attack in a last-ditch attempt to snatch a draw. Substitute Debbie McWhinnie met Fleeting's low cross with a solid strike but Australian keeper Barbieri rescued the situation with a fine block.
The Qantas Matildas head to Canada today, and after their heavy schedule to date, will enjoy a full week before their match against Canada in Kingston.