Ghana Thrashed Yet Again

.... As Aussies claim first WC victory
As if last nights 5-nil thrashing of the Black stars, by Saudi Arabia wasn't bad enough, the Black Queens were hammered 4-1, by Australia, in the opening match of Group C at the women's world cup.

In so doing, the Matildas scored its first World Cup win in 10 attempts.

Striker Sarah Walsh opened the scoring after 15 minutes which gave the Matildas a 1-0 edge in an evenly balanced first half.

After the break superior fitness paid off with two goals from second-half substitute Lisa De Vanna (57 and 81) and another from Heather Garriock in the 69th minute.

Ghana's exciting 18-year-old striker Anita Amankwa fired one back for the Black Queens in the 70th minute.

Ghana had taken points from Australia in 1999 and 2003 but they struggled to subdue the pacy Walsh and it was after two earlier near misses that the 24-year-old broke the deadlock, firing left-footed off the inside of the post.

She then teed up De Vanna to double Australia's lead and the outcome was settled when Heather Garriock headed home the pick of Australia's goals.
The match is the first of a Group C double header which sees Norway and Canada meet at the same stadium later Wednesday.

The Matildas have played in three World Cups before - in 1995, 1999 and 2003 - but have failed to get beyond the group stage, a dismal record that they want to fix.

Their form in the lead up has been good, and their first ever win will boost confidence.

Norway, ranked fourth in the world, and Canada, ranked ninth are the favourites to pass into the knockout round ahead of Australia, who are 15th in the FIFA rankings.
The lowest ranked team in the current tournament at 47, Ghana have appeared in two previous World Cups without getting beyond the group stage.