The Qantas Young Matildas have commenced the AFC Women's U-19 Championship in fine style with a 1-0 win over pre-tournament favourites China in Kuala Lumpur overnight.
The Qantas Young Matildas are aiming to become the first Australian side to win an AFC Championship, while a top-three finish in the eight nation tournament will ensure qualification for the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship to be played in Russia in September.
Queensland striker Sasha McDonnell had the distinction of being Australia's first male or female player to score in the finals of an AFC competition when she converted a Collette McCallum cross from close range nine minutes after the interval.
While the Chinese twice struck the frame of the goal later in the half, it was to prove their only threat to the goal of Australia's Lydia Williams and the Qantas Young Matildas ran out deserved winners in a match played in high humidity.
"It was a match of high quality which we controlled for lengthy periods having possession for at least 70% of the match," said Qantas Young Matildas coach Alistair Edwards.
"We scored a well-worked goal and defended exceptionally well throughout the match. It was really pleasing to see the aspects of our game that we have been concentrating on during our preparation, work so well against such high quality opposition.
"The quality of the teams here is extremely high with the players fully aware of the tough games that lie ahead, and we will undoubtedly need to continue to improve on the form we displayed today.
"This thoroughly deserved win has further instilled the belief that we are on the right track but there is still a lot of work to do."
In the other Group B match played overnight Jordan defeated Australia's next opponent Malaysia 2-1.