Mini Matildas defeat Vietnam 6-0 in opener

The Australian U16s have defeated Vietnam 6-0 in their opening match of the AFC U16 Championship qualifiers at the Stadium Hang Tuah in Melaka, Malaysia.

A first half blitz set up the Mini Matildas to cruise to victory despite some staunch second half resistance from Vietnam.

Australia controlled the match from the opening proceedings with Victorian midfielder Adriana Taranto opening the scoring with a stunning effort from distance just six minutes after kick off.

Minutes later striker Panagiota Petratos doubled Australia's advantage as she got on the end of a perfectly flighted Princess Ibini cross as the Mini Matildas continued to go on the attack.

Well and truly on top all over the park, Australia looked to press their advantage with striker Melina Ayres netting two goals in as many minutes.

The first when she collected Alex Chidiac's through ball before calmly finishing past the keeper and the next was all individual brilliance as the Victorian skipped past defenders before confidently lashing home for a quick fire brace.

With a defence splitting run, Ayers then turned provider as she assisted Petratos' brace and Australia's fifth just after the half hour mark.

The half time break allowed the Vietnam to regroup with the Vietnamese proving a tougher and more resilient foe after the interval.

Despite their resistance, Grace Maher found a way past three players to claim a sixth goal for the Mini Matildas to top off a strong first up performance.

Australia is back in action when they take on Hong Kong who were on the end of an 11-0 defeat at the hands of Korea Republic.

Australia 6 (Taranto 6', Petratos 13'/35', Ayres 24'/26', Maher 90')

Vietnam 0

Saturday, 4 October 2014

Stadium Hang Tuah, Melaka, Malaysia

Kick off: 6.30pm (AEST)

Australia: 1. Jada Mathyssen-Whyman, 2. Hannah Bourke (9. Ashlee Brodigan 46’), 3. Clare Hunt, 4. Ellie Carpenter, 6. Kobie Ferguson, 7. Princess Ibini-Isei, 8. Adriana Taranto (20. Grace Maher 70’), 10. Alexandra Chidiac, 11. Melina Ayres, 16. Melissa Taranto (5. Aimee Medwin 62'), 19. Panagiota Petratos

Full Mini Matildas squad

Eliza Ammendolia (NSW Country), Lexi Anastassiou (VIC), Melina Ayres (VIC), Savannah Boller (QLD), Hannah Bourke (NNSW), Ashlee Brodigan (Northern NSW), Ellie Carpenter (NSW), Joey Cartwright (NSW Country), Alexandra Chidiac (SA), Chelsie Dawber (SA), Kobie Ferguson (Northern NSW), Clare Hunt (NSW Country), Princess Ibini (NSW), Alexia Karrys-Stahl (ACT), Grace Maher (ACT), Jada Mathyssen-Whyman (NSW Country), Aimee Medwin (TAS), Brianna Oliverio (NSW), Panagiota Petratos (NSW), Hannah Southwell (NNSW), Adriana Taranto (VIC), Melissa Taranto (VIC), Arina Tokunaga (QLD)

Head Coach: Ante Juric

Assistant Coach: Vicki Linton