Second half goals from Amy Harrison and Brittany Whitfield has seen Australia run out comfortable 2 - 0 winners over Myanmar.
Second half goals from Amy Harrison and Brittany Whitfield has seen Australia run out comfortable 2 - 0 winners over Myanmar in their fourth match of the AFC U19 Championships in Nanjing, China.
The win also gave the Westfield Young Matildas their first points of the tournament.
Aiming to shake off the disappointment of opening three matches, Australia started positively to produce their first chance in the 12th minute.
Midfielder Alisha Bass found space down the left flank before picking out Whitfield. The striker unselfishly squared to Meg McLaughlin but Myanmar goalkeeper May Zin Nwe came out for a comfortable gather.
Despite heavy possession Australia were unable to breach the Myanmar defence and in the 27th minute they pushed back. Sharp lead up play down the right wing ended in an effort from Su Nandar Lwin but Australian custodian Eliza Campbell was untroubled.
After the slight scare Australia re-asserted their dominance and almost went ahead just on the half hour when captain Whitfield was brought down on the edge of the penalty area.
A short free kick played out to Natalie Tobin resulted in the midfielder-s strike floating just over the goal.
On shadows of half time Bass again went close with a strong run only to be foiled by Zin New to keep the scores level at half time.
After the break Australia immediately looked to get on the front foot and went close when Grace MacIntyre teed up Whitfield but her near post effort was turned away.
Bass went even closer minutes later as she saw her strike cannon into the far post.
Less than a minute after the pressure finally told when Harrison fired home a loose corner ball to gave Australia a deserved lead.
On the restart the Westfield Young Matildas soon had their second as goalscorer Harrison turned provider with a deep cross into the path of Whitfield who duly dispatched to double the lead.
MacIntyre looked to have added a third only to see her rifled strike whistle inches over the crossbar in the 59th minute.
Substitute Tara Andrews was also denied as her powerful header off a corner produced an equally exceptional save from May Zin New.
Despite peppering the goals for the remainder of the second half Australia were unable to add to their goal tally.
"Given the last three games that were very tough it was great to finally notch up our first win of the tournament," said Young Matildas coach Spencer Prior.
"Myanmar are always tough opposition as they play with ten behind the ball."
"Credit to the team for their patience in attack which created numerous chances during the second half.
"Moving forward to our last match which will be another great challenge where we play South Korea on Sunday."
Australia 2 (Harrison 50-, Whitfield 51-) Myanmar 0 Date: Friday, 18 October 2013 Kick off: 2.00pm (local time) / 5.00pm (AEDST) Stadium: Jiangsu Football Training Base Stadium Nanjing, China.
Referee:
Starting Line Up: 18. Eliza CAMPBELL (21. Sham KHAMIS 59-), 2. Rachael SOUTAR, 4. Grace FIELD, 8. Natalie TOBIN, 11 Brittany WHITFIELD (12. Tara ANDREWS 78-), 13. Meg McLAUGHLIN 14. Elizabeth RALSTON, 15. Amy HARRISON (9. Olivia PRICE 66-), 17. Melissa CACERES, 20. Alisha BASS, 23. Grace MACINTYRE