THE Matildas have moved into the box seat to qualify for the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup after a 3-2 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Bochum last night.
An eighth-minute strike from Leena Khamis put Australia on its way early but the Matildas were given a scare when the Africans equalised through their captain Genoveva Anonma following a defensive error by Servet Uzunlar.
Australia eventually took control when 17-year-old Emily van Egmond blasted home in the 46th minute. Lisa De Vanna then scored just minutes after coming on as a substitute. Equatorial Guinea bagged a consolation seven minutes from time when Anonma struck in identical fashion to her first after Uzunlar was again caught dallying on the ball.
The result means that if Brazil defeats Norway overnight by two goals or more, Australia will need only to draw against the Norwegians in their final group game to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Tom Sermanni rang the changes after the Matildas opening defeat against Brazil, with five new players brought into a 4-3-2-1 starting line-up. Most surprisingly, strike duo De Vanna and Kyah Simon were dropped in favour of Khamis as a lone striker, while Lydia Williams was brought in for captain Melissa Barbieri as goalkeeper.
The changes brought immediate dividends when Sally Shipard intercepted a poor defensive clearance, instigating a move that involved Khamis and van Egmond, whose shot was blocked into Khamis' path. She blasted home the Matildas' first goal of the tournament.
Khamis could have had another when she skipped forward to collect a cross from Heather Garriock, only to see her effort hit the post. However, Australia should have been given a penalty when Brazilian-born defender Bruna blatantly hand-balled the rebound which the officials somehow missed.
The Matildas were made to pay in the 21st minute when Uzunlar was caught dallying on the ball by Anonma. Uzunlar lost her footing and Anonma charged in to seize the ball before dummying past Williams to square the ledger.
Khamis had another chance on the half-hour from a free kick when she sent in a bullet header that passed just over the bar. Collette McCallum went even closer on the stroke of half-time, hitting the bar with a superb free kick.
Australia continued its onslaught in the second half and had its reward when van Egmond was in the right place to capitalise after De Vanna missed the incoming cross. De Vanna wouldn't be caught napping again, scoring minutes later after latching on to Garriock's perfect through ball to seal the victory, with Anonma's late strike not affecting the final outcome.
An eighth-minute strike from Leena Khamis put Australia on its way early but the Matildas were given a scare when the Africans equalised through their captain Genoveva Anonma following a defensive error by Servet Uzunlar.
Australia eventually took control when 17-year-old Emily van Egmond blasted home in the 46th minute. Lisa De Vanna then scored just minutes after coming on as a substitute. Equatorial Guinea bagged a consolation seven minutes from time when Anonma struck in identical fashion to her first after Uzunlar was again caught dallying on the ball.
The result means that if Brazil defeats Norway overnight by two goals or more, Australia will need only to draw against the Norwegians in their final group game to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Tom Sermanni rang the changes after the Matildas opening defeat against Brazil, with five new players brought into a 4-3-2-1 starting line-up. Most surprisingly, strike duo De Vanna and Kyah Simon were dropped in favour of Khamis as a lone striker, while Lydia Williams was brought in for captain Melissa Barbieri as goalkeeper.
Khamis could have had another when she skipped forward to collect a cross from Heather Garriock, only to see her effort hit the post. However, Australia should have been given a penalty when Brazilian-born defender Bruna blatantly hand-balled the rebound which the officials somehow missed.
The Matildas were made to pay in the 21st minute when Uzunlar was caught dallying on the ball by Anonma. Uzunlar lost her footing and Anonma charged in to seize the ball before dummying past Williams to square the ledger.
Khamis had another chance on the half-hour from a free kick when she sent in a bullet header that passed just over the bar. Collette McCallum went even closer on the stroke of half-time, hitting the bar with a superb free kick.
Australia continued its onslaught in the second half and had its reward when van Egmond was in the right place to capitalise after De Vanna missed the incoming cross. De Vanna wouldn't be caught napping again, scoring minutes later after latching on to Garriock's perfect through ball to seal the victory, with Anonma's late strike not affecting the final outcome.
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