Young Matildas claim 3rd place at 2015 AFF Championships

Australia has defeated hosts Vietnam 4-3 to claim third place at the 2015 AFF Women's Championships at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.

A first half goal by Kobie Ferguson was followed up by second goals from Beattie Goad and Princess Ibini-Isei to give Australia a hard earned bronze medal.

Unlike their other matches, Australia came out firing in this encounter and soon had the lead with Ferguson taking advantage of a sluggish Vietnam defence.

The hosts, supported by a vocal home crowd, weren't behind for long and five minutes later they were level in a frantic opening to the play off match.

Following the opening goal action, the match then settled into a rhythm with Alex Chidiac, Amy Harrison and Ferguson prominent in a much improved Australian performance.

A defensive mistake proved costly in the 31st minute with Nguyen Thi Nguyet taking full advantage to fire past Teagan Micah.

Vietnam looked to push the advantage heading into the break but Australia managed to maintain the status quo.

The second half started in the same vein as the first and 10 minutes into the half Australia levelled the scores. Goal scorer Ferguson turned assist maker when she spotted the run of Ibini-Isei.

The 15 year old ducked in front of her marker before producing a well weighted first time lob over the advancing goalkeeper.

A stalemate ensued as both sides pushed to re-take the lead but it was the Young Matildas who succeeded in the 74th minute when Ibini-Isei was played into space.

The forward made a darting touch line run before cutting back to Goad who slid to tuck in a third goal.

Five minutes from full time and Vietnam again found a way to get level when Ngugen Thi Tuyet Dung latched onto a back post cross before heading home.

With the match looking destined for extra time, one final burst forward again saw Ibini-Isei in clear space.

In what was the final kick of the match, the teenager drove home the ball past the 'keeper into the far post for the game winning goal.

The Young Matildas third place follows up a silver medal at the 2013 AFF Women's Championships.

Ante Juric and his team will return to Australia tomorrow and commence preparations for the 2015 AFC U-19 Championships in Nanjing, China.

https://twitter.com/brookegoodrich4/status/597367632422023169

Australia 4 (Ferguson 4', Ibini-Isei 56'/90+4', Goad 74')

Vietnam 3

10 May 2015

Kick off: 7.00pm (AEST)

Thong Nhat Stadium

Australia line up: Teagan Micah, Brooke Goodrich, Emma Checker, Ellie Carpenter, Angela Beard, Kobie Ferguson, Princess Ibini-Isei, Amy Harrison, Jordan Baker (Sunny Franco), Alex Chidiac, Beattie Goad

Young Matildas’ Squad

Jordan BAKER (Western Sydney Wanderers), Angela BEARD (Brisbane Roar), Ellie CARPENTER (FNSW), Emma CHECKER (Melbourne Victory), Alex CHIDIAC (Adelaide United), Emily CONDON (Adelaide United), Gabrielle DAL BUSCO (Perth Glory), Julia DE ANGELIS (Canberra United), Kobie FERGUSON (NNSW), Sunny FRANCO (Brisbane Roar), Beattie GOAD (Melbourne Victory), Brooke GOODRICH (Brisbane Roar), Amy HARRISON (Sydney FC), Monique IANELLA (Adelaide United), Princess IBINI (FNSW), Kally LEWIS (NNSW), Annabel MARTIN (VIC), Teagan MICAH (Brisbane Roar), Chloe O’BRIEN (Western Sydney Wanderers), Panagiota PETRATOS (FNSW), Olivia PRICE (Sydney FC), Natalie TOBIN (Sydney FC)