Women's Soccer Scene

Women's Football News


Latest News	Women's Football TV	News Archive	Search	Get the Mag

Share page on Social Media: f Share t G+ find us on Twitter: @wssmagnews
Women's Football World Cup News

Swedes march into last four

Women's Football World Cup News 10 Jul 2011

Sweden 3 (Sjogran 11, Dahlkvist 16, Schelin 52) Australia 1 (Perry 40)
att: 24,605; at Augsburg
Sweden eased into the World Cup semi finals and will play Japan after proving too strong for a gallant Australian side in Augsburg.

The Swedes could have gone ahead in the opening minutes as Lotta Schelin latched onto a back pass from Collette McCallum but her control let her down and the danger was averted.

However they were soon in front and Schelin was heavily involved, the striker making her way past Ellyse Perry before cutting the ball back for Therese Sjogran who took one touch and then drove her shot past Melissa Barbieri.

Five minutes later and Sweden were two ahead, this time Sjogran turning provider as her pinpoint cross picked out Lisa Dahlkvist who headed firmly home.

Sweden continued to dominate matters but Australia rallied ahead of half time and almost pulled a goal back as an inswinging free kick from McCallum caught Hedvig Lindahl off her line but it was narrowly off target.

However the Matildas did get the goal they needed minutes later, with one of the most spectacular strikes of the tournament. McCallum's quickly taken corner picked out Perry on the edge of the area and the dual football and cricket international drilled an unstoppable left foot shot into the far top corner, giving Lindahl no chance.

Australia had dragged themselves back into the game but one of their defensive blunders came back to haunt them once again after the restart. Kim Carroll played a casual back pass straight to Schelin - who was still coming back from the previous attack - and the striker expertly rounded Barbieri before tucking the ball into the net.

Despite the setback, Australia still kept going and Kyah Simon went close with a header from a Tameka Butt centre. Lisa De Vanna then made a great run into the area but shot across the face of goal rather than finding Simon who was well placed in front of goal.

Lindahl was called into action late on as she pulled off an excellent diving save from Butt's powerful strike but Sweden ensured there were no more scares and they closed the game out to book their last four place.

Sweden's win also guarantees them a place in the London Olympics next year along with France, whilst Germany do not qualify. Australia will be left to reflect on moments of naivety which eventually cost them dear but their young and talented side will surely come back stronger next time.

Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl, Charlotte Rohlin, Linda Forsberg (sub Nilla Fischer 67mins), Annica Svensson (sub Lina Nilsson 90mins), Caroline Seger, Sara Thunebro, Sara Larsson, Lotta Schelin, Lisa Dahlkvist, Josefine Oqvist (sub Madelaine Edlund 83mins), Therese Sjogran.

Australia: Melissa Barbieri, Emily Van Egmond (sub Clare Polkinghorne 58mins), Kim Carroll, Collette McCallum (sub Sally Shipard 79mins), Servet Uzunlar, Ellyse Perry (sub Tameka Butt 59mins), Heather Garriock, Elise Kellond-Knight, Caitlin Foord, Kyah Simon, Lisa De Vanna.