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Matildas beat Brazil

19 June 2008 | 20:11 - FFA

The Matildas have scored a famous 1-0 win against 2007 World Cup runners-up Brazil courtesy of an injury-time strike from teenager Kyah Simon at the Peace Cup in Suwon, South Korea.

 

Sydney 16-year-old Simon scored the dramatic goal to overturn the result from last year's World Cup in China when Brazil ended Australia's historic run at the quarter-final stage.

Brazil hit the crossbar in the first half with Australian skipper Cheryl Salisbury doing likewise on the hour mark in what was a tight contest throughout.

The Matildas however were denied a place in Sunday's final after the world's top ranked team the USA defeated Italy 2-0 in the late match. The USA now meet Canada in the final in a repeat of the 2006 final of the prestigious eight-nation tournament.

"It was a superb performance from the team and a great way to finish the tournament," said coach Tom Sermanni.

"We have now had 10 tough matches in the last month and have been on the road for a long time but this match once again shows the character and ability of our team.

"The strength and resilience we showed in these circumstances was outstanding and I am proud of the players.

"Brazil gave us a tough game, as expected. They are quick and very aware in a football sense but they are also physically strong and resilient. That we managed to keep a clean sheet is a bonus.

"We have beaten one of the best teams in the world and this is a great milestone in our rebuilding stage towards our next major tournaments." 

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