Australia's U-19 Women's team, the Westfield Young Matildas, have defeated Chinese Taipei 4-0 overnight at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-19 Women's Championships in China .
In a gallant performance, Australia set the tone for the match early by applying pressure up the field. Shortly after 10 minutes of play, a free kick from Elise Kellond-Knight sent the ball in behind the hosts defence and into goal however Kyah Simon was judged offside in the box.
Shortly afterwards in the 12th minute, after an impressive run down the left by Samantha Kerr, the through ball was received by Simon who was left with a one-on-one dual against the Chinese Taipei keeper. The keeper collected well although the Westfield Young Matildas looked threatening on the ball.
Australia's attacking drive was soon rewarded after Kellond-Knight sent the ball in from a corner to find Alesha Clifford who leapt up to head the ball downwards just inside the left post for Australia's first score in the 21st minute.
In the dying minutes of the half, an Australian free kick from the centre was taken quickly and carried into the box by Kerr. Kerr was left with the keeper as the last line of the Chinese Taipei defence but was unable to penetrate through to goal and the keeper again managed to gather. Australia continued the pressure for the remainder of the half but were unable to put another score on the board before the half concluded.
The tempo in the second half was maintained by the Westfield Young Matildas who continued to dominate in their attacking area. A Tameka Butt ball in to the centre of the goal mouth from a corner was headed into the back of the net by Simon for Australia's second goal in the 58th minute and Australia was lifted further.
Chinese Taipei fought back in the 65th minute with an attempt on goal but Australian keeper, Casey Dumont, cleared the ball only to face another attack which also came to nothing when Dumont collected.
An immediate counter-attack resulted in a Kellond-Knight free kick 30 metres in front of goal. The direct strike was fumbled by the Chinese Taipei goal keeper and Courtney Beutel was on hand to tap the goal in for Australia's third in the 66th minute.
With the Westfield Young Matildas maintaining their pace, they applied pressure in and around the box and with the Chinese Taipei keeper unable to clear effectively, Nicola Bolger's solid strike from 15 metres in front in the 84th minute gave Australia their fourth.
Despite the result, it was not enough for the Westfield Young Matildas to progress to the semi-finals of the championship which also served as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2010.
Teresa Polias was named player of the match.