Talented West Australian and Perth Glory Womens trio, Lisa De Vanna, Collette McCallum and Sam Kerr all took to the field when Australia tackled Italy in a friendly at Canberra Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Talented West Australian and Perth Glory Womens trio, Lisa De Vanna, Collette McCallum and Sam Kerr all took to the field when Australia tackled Italy in a friendly at Canberra Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In warm conditions the Westfield Matildas and their Italian counterparts went head-to-head in front of almost 3,000 football fans in the nation-s capital with Kerr making her senior international debut.
Matildas captain, Joanne Peters, took to the field playing her final international match after announcing her retirement earlier this week and almost had the dream start to her final match, hitting a free kick from 22 metres, which the Italian keeper pushed away at full stretch.
It was the visitors though that had the best of the opening exchanges and raced to a three goal lead at the half. The Italians added another after the break before McCallum got one back for the Aussies with a terrific volley.
Italy continued to press an inexperienced Australian defence and with nine minutes remaining Patrizia Panico secured her hat trick to see them wrap up the match 5-1.
“It is a disappointing result for our team. We are in a transition process at the moment with many new players entering the squad – however it is still important during this time that we remain competitive,” said Westfield Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni.
“These international friendly matches provided a good opportunity for Westfield W-League players to experience the difference between domestic and international football.
“Over the next few months we will be focused on rebuilding a cohesive team,” he said.
The match was the final in a two part series between Australia and Italy.
Australia 1 (Collette MCCALLUM 64-)
Italy 5 (Melania GABBIADINI 7-, Patrizia PANICO 10-/58-/81-, Pamela CONTI 16-)
Canberra Stadium, Saturday 7 February 2009
Referee: Sara Hodson
Assistant Referees: Allyson Flynn, Jacqueline Leleu
Fourth official: Kirralee Gardener
Crowd: 2,916
Australia: 18.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2.Kate MCSHEA, 3.Karla REUTER (7.Heather GARRIOCK 45-), 6.Amber NEILSON (15.Samantha KERR 76-), 10.Joanne PETERS(c) (20.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT 84-),11.Lisa DE VANNA, 12.Kathryn GILL (8.Caitlin MUNOZ 59-), 13.Tameka BUTT (9.Sarah WALSH 45-), 16.Lauren COLTHORPE, 17.Lana HARCH (14.Collette MCCALLUM 45-), 22.Ellie BRUSH.
Substitutes not used: 1.Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE, 19.Danielle BROGAN.
Yellow cards: Nil.
Red cards: Nil.
Italy: 1.Chiara MARCHITELLI (gk), 2.Sara GAMA, 3.Roberta D-ADDA, 4.Alessia TUTTINO, 5.Elisabetta TONA, 6.Viviana SCHIAVI, 8.Melania GABBIADINI (14.Ilaria MAURO 89′), 9.Patrizia PANICO (c) (11.Silvia FUSELLI 84′), 10.Tatiana ZORRI, 18.Pamela CONTI (19.Marta CARISSIMI 74′), 20.Giulia DOMENICHETTI.
Substitutes not used: 7.Venusia PALIOTTI, 12.Anna Maria PICARELLI (gk), 13.Giorgia MOTTA, 16.Laura NEBOLI, 17.Alia GUAGNI, 22.Sara PENZO (gk).
Yellow cards: Alessia TUTTINO 42-.
Red cards: Nil.
