World number one USA lifted the Australia Cup title with a solid 3-1 victory over the Matildas in tonight's last round of Australia Cup matches at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide.
The USA retained their perfect record over Australia, a win from all thirteen clashes between the two nations. The young American combination laid claim to the crown by superior goal difference over Sweden.
The Matildas started in encouraging fashion in the sapping heat, keeping possession and knocking the ball around quite well until conceding the first goal, after which confidence waned and USA pinned the Australians back in their own half. Australia then fought back in the second half before another mistake resulted in a third goal to the visitors.
USA took the lead in the 13th minute, last defender Cheryl Salisbury robbed of the ball in the middle of the field by Mandy Clemens who released teammate Jenny Streiffer. Her clever cross over the top of the defence was met by Sherrill Kester, driving into the top of the net from 16 metres on the left.
The Americans went two goals ahead in the 34th minute, Danielle Slaton surging upfield and shrugging off her marker as she approached the left of goal. Matildas defender Dianne Alagich went across to cover, but Slaton's shot ricocheted in off the body of Alagich at the left post for an unfortunate own goal.
Australia picked up a gear after the break and started to wina few more balls and string some passes together, although promising moves still broke down with a stray ball. They were finally rewarded in the 74th minute, midfielder Danielle Small fending off two defenders in her run toward goal before winning a corner. Sharon Black floated the corner beautifully to the far post with captain Alison Forman timing her run perfectly for a powerful close range header into the top of the net to reduce the deficit to one.
The boost for Australia was short-lived, conceding a third goal seven minutes later as the ball was robbed from the Matildas keeper Tracey Wheeler and laid back to unmarked US midfielder Aly Wagner. Her drive flew inside the right post from 20 metres past the desperate lunge of the backtracking goalkeeper.
The home side fought on and were unlucky not to score in the 85th minute, Sunni Hughes celebrating her 50th cap with a fantastic volley on the turn from 16 metres which was parried around the post by the US keeper.
"Just before we scored, we'd started to pick up the loose stuff, win more ball, and the goal was a great lift," said Matildas coach Chris Tanzey. "I fancied us to then make saomething, but we totally shot ourselves in the foot. The mistakes were made by our experienced players."
"This was probably our hardest game played all tournament," said US coach Lauren Gregg. "The Australians have improved a lot - they're much more organised and much fitter."