Westfield Matildas too strong for Singapore

The Westfield Matildas have won their third and final group game at the AFF Women’s Championship in Vietnam, proving too strong in a 6-0 rout of Singapore.

The Westfield Matildas have won their third and final group game at the AFF Women-s Championship in Vietnam, proving too strong in a 6-0 rout of Singapore.

Lauren Colthorpe scored a first half double, while Ashleigh Sykes, Jenna Tristram, Victoria Balomenos and Ella Mastrantonio added second half goals in the big win.

It was one-way traffic for Australia-s young team, with goalkeeper Lydia Williams not touching the ball with her hands on any occasion.

Amy Chapman was close to scoring after just two minutes, her header saved by the keeper and that essentially set the tone for the remainder of the match.

In the 6th minute, Colthorpe was set up on the edge on the box by Balomenos and the midfielder made no mistake with her solid strike into the top corner.

The chances kept coming with Tameka Butt, Chapman, Colthorpe and Balomenos denied by the Singapore keeper or defence, but a second goal was inevitable.

It duly arrived after 22 minutes when Colthorpe hit a terrific low shot from the edge of the box.

The opportunities kept coming with Colthorpe denied a first half hat-trick by the Singapore keeper, while some wasteful finishing kept the scoreline at 2-0 going into the second half.

The second half brought no respite from Australia and with Sykes touching the ball over the line from close range in the 51st minute to make it 3-0.

Australia continued to create numerous chances with the Singapore keeper one of the busiest players on the pitch, but it wasn-t until the 69th minute that she was beaten again; Tristram finishing off good work by Balomenos and Colthorpe, with a low finish from 10 metres.

Balomenos continued with her impressive form to date with her fifth goal of the tournament, the quickest to react after the Singapore keeper blocked a penalty, after Leena Khamis was fouled in the box.

The Australian-s wrapped up the scoring in injury time with the goal of the game, Mastrantonio hammering a 35 metre shot into top corner, which proved a real crowd pleaser.

The result leaves Australia on top of its group with three wins from three games and will learn of its semi final opponent following today-s matches in the other group.

Coach Alistair Edwards used the match to try players in different positions and a different style of play and was pleased with how they responded.

It was an excellent performance overall where we controlled the tempo from start to finish,” Edwards said.

“We were able to try different players in different positions, and also to change our system of play as the game progressed to try and counteract their (Singapore's) defensive approach.

“We've reached our first target of making the semi finals and everyone has contributed to us getting this far.

“It's pleasing for the future of our game that our two youngest players got on the scoresheet today.”

Match Details

AFF Women's Championship 2008 13 October Australia v Singapore Thanh Long Sports Complex (Ho Chi Minh City) 6.00pm kick-off

Westfield Matildas 6 (Lauren Colthorpe 6-/22-, Ashleigh Sykes 51-, Jenna Tristram 69-, Victoria Balomenos 78, Ella Mastrantonio 91-) Singapore 0

Australian line-up: Lydia Williams (gk); Clare Polkinghorne, Kim Carroll (c); Brooke Spence, Christine Walters (Leena Khamis 73-), Renee Rollason (Ella Mastrantonio h/t), Amy Chapman, Lauren Colthorpe, Ashleigh Sykes (Jenna Tristram 58-), Tameka Butt, Victoria Balomenos

Unavailable: Elise Kellond-Knight and Lyndsay Glohe (both injured)