Mr Russell wrote:I'm having the pleasure of watching the Australian Women's Team (The Matildas) playing tonight against Brasil. A few months ago the Aussie girls won a tournament which featured Japan, USA and Brasil. They had never beaten the US and gave Brasil a 6-1 flogging.
The game in Newastle NSW tonight is the second of the Brasilian tour as they played in Penrith NSW on Saturday which Australia won 2-1, i'm looking forward to seeing this game as the Women's team is on fire and outshining their male counterparts.
Australia 3 (Kerr 2, Foord) Brasil 2 (Fabiano, Marta (p))
Att nearly 17000
Biggest crowd for a female fixture in Australia (bar Olympics of course).
Really good game and joy to see an Aussie team keen on attacking (take note Socceroos) their opponents and outplaying them for most of the game. Brasil actually took the lead in the 1st minute when Marta crossed for Fabiano to tap in from close range. Brasil were the better team at the start and look dangerous on the break but as the half wore on Australia started to take control and really should have scored before they did.
Kerr the star of the Matildas brought them level with a superb header (Lee Chapman like) which gave the keeper no chance, Emily Van Egmond had floated over the free kick which had caused all sorts of problems for the Brasil defense and Kerr did the rest. They should have take the lead but Raso shot wide and Gorry hit the post when she should have hit the net.
1-1 at half time
Foord came on as a sub and within a few minutes she had scored after Gorry had miskicked and the ball came to Foord and she slotted into an empty net for 2-1.
Australia were in firm control now and it was in the 66th minute when Kerr got her second after Van Egmond fed Logazo on the left and she whipped in a cross which Kerr met and blasted home from close range, she then did her traditional goal celebration which the crowd loved. She did have the ball in the net again but was judge off side.
Australia went into cruise control once they were 3-1 up and in the last 10 minutes was when Brasil looked dangerous again and it was their hero Marta who earned the one of the dodgiest penalties you will see as she was barely touched but went down as if a sniper had got her. She converted from the spot to make it 3-2.
Luckily it woke the Matilda's up and they closed the game out with ease to win 3-2 and earn me $80
, thanks for that ladies!
After the game some of the Brasilian girls refused to shake hands with the Aussies which was very poor and have been roundly given stick for, other than that it was really enjoyable and hope to see them again. Although Marta has been player of the season for many years i was disappointed in her actions as she fell to the ground (like the men do) way too easily whilst everybody else played hard and got on with the game.
For the Aussies Kerry and Van Egmond stole the show.
Owners come and go but Leeds United will be there forever, for the fans - keep Marching on Together.
