The Matildas were the deserved 1-0 winners in tonight's Australia Cup opener against South Korea, getting them off to a good start in the three-test series.
Substitute April Mann scored the solitary goal midway through the second half in a game largely dominated by the Australians. The goal was the Queenslander's second in just four internationals.
The Koreans made an all-out attack for the first ten minutes, forward Cha Sung Mi's drive from the edge of the box headed off the line by Sharon Black. The home side then survived two Korean freekicks and another shot before settling into the game.
The Matildas forged on after their sluggish start, their physical strength and height proving too large an obstacle for the bustling Koreans in a clash played at a breakneck speed throughout. With both sides quickly closing down the ball-carrier, the match lacked real fluency and time on the ball.
Black caused all sorts of headaches for the Korean defence in the last twenty minutes of the first half, Australia's four attacks finding her in with a chance on goal. The best opportunity was provided by Lisa Casagrande's short ball inside against a flat defence, but Black's low drive from 15 metres was blocked.
Play became patchy in the 20 minutes after the break, neither side taking control. The Matildas then lifted a couple of gears to produce three great chances within a ten-minute period, which included the winning goal. Joanne Peters' drive was saved, before Mann scored in the 72nd minute. Heather Garriock sent in a deep corner kick from the left which was met beautifully with a headed shot from Cheryl Salisbury. The ball was blocked right on the line, with the crumbs gratefully finished by Mann from close range. Soon after, Salisbury sent through a fantastic long ball for Mann, her strike thumping against the post.
Australia then held out for the remainder of the match to claim the victory.
Starting defender Rhian Davies celebrated her first cap for Australia, whilst Gill Thomson came off the bench to also make her international debut.
Adrian Santrac was happy to notch up his first win as fulltime National Coach, saying, "We started slow but we pulled together and deserved the win. We could have scored more, but it's a good way to start the tournament."
The two teams travel to Albury tomorrow in readiness for their next clash on Wednesday evening.