Australia cruise to opening 6-0 win over Hong Kong

The Young Matildas have commenced their AFC U19 Championships qualifying campaign with a comfortable 6-0 win over Hong Kong at the Youth Football Training Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam.

A first half goal from Brisbane Roar striker Larissa Crummer and second half goals from Sydney FC's Amy Harrison, Princess Ibini-Isei, Adelaide United's Emily Condon and a brace from Melbourne Victory's Beattie Goad secured the victory.

The much fancied Australians started the match slowly but it wasn't long before they grabbed control of the contest.

With Harrison, Natalie Tobin and Kobie Ferguson dictating the midfield, there was plenty of supply for the pacy forwardline. Despite early corners, the Young Matildas were unable to take advantage until the 25th minute when Crummer finally broke through.

The striker looked to have notched up her second goal in the 34th minute only to be adjudged offside on a close call.

As with the first part of the half, Hong Kong held tough to only be down 1-0 at half time.

After the break Australia looked to convert their dominance into scoreboard pressure and four minutes in captain Harrison slotted home to double the lead.

On the front foot, the Young Matildas went on the attack with goals at regular intervals from Ibini-Isei (64th), Condon (73rd) and Goad (77th), with all three all celebrating their first goals for Australia at youth level.

Goad, who was the spark in the second half, sealed the win in the 84th minute with her deserved second of the night.

The win puts Australia on top of Group C with Vietnam and Singapore to play later in the evening.

The Young Matildas will take on Singapore in their second group game at Youth Football Training Center on Friday, 7 November 2014.

The Women's Game will be reporting the campaign on Twitter and Facebook.

Australia 6 (Crummer 25', Harrison 49', Ibini-Isei 65', Condon 73', Goad 76'/83')

Hong Kong

5 November 2014

Vietnam Youth Football Training Center, Hanoi

Kick off: 5:00pm (AEDT)

Australia Starting XI: 18. Georgina WORTH (gk), 2. Emma CHECKER, 3. Larissa CRUMMER, 4. Ellie CARPENTER, 8. EMILY CONDON (6. Sunny FRANCO 78'), 9. Natalie TOBIN, 10. Amy HARRISON (c), 14. Monique IANNELLA, 15. Isabel HODGSON (11. Beatrice GOAD 45'), 16. Kobie FERGUSON, 17. Princess IBINI-ISEI (20. Alex CHIDIAC 78')

Young Matildas Squad

Angela Beard (Brisbane Roar), Jordan Baker (Western Sydney Wanderers), Emma Checker (Melbourne Victory), Ellie Carpenter (NSW), Alex Chidiac (Adelaide United), Emily Condon (Adelaide United), Larissa Crummer (Brisbane Roar), Gabrielle Dal Busco (Perth Glory), Kobie Ferguson (U17 WNT), Sunny Franco (Brisbane Roar), Beatrice Goad (Melbourne Victory), Brooke Goodrich (Brisbane Roar), Amy Harrison (Sydney FC), Isabel Hodgson (Adelaide United), Dylan Holmes (Adelaide United), Monique Iannella (Adelaide United), Princess Ibini (U17 WNT), Chloe O’Brien (Western Sydney Wanderers), Olivia Price (Sydney FC), Natasha Prior (FNSW Institute), Hannah Southwell (Newcastle Jets), Natalie Tobin (Sydney FC), Georgina Worth (ACTAS)