After their 2-0 loss to China three days ago in Linyi, Australia’s women’s national team were determined not to go down again in the second warm-up match between the two sides at Qingdao. Yet despite a valiant effort from the away side, the score ended up exactly the same - the goals were scored by Xie Caixia and Teng Wei - and the Steel Roses remain undefeated in over 10 matches against the Matildas.

The Aussies did give China a run for their money this time though, as Australian midfielder Heather Garriock pointed out after the game, “Their goalkeeper (Han Wenxia) had an outstanding game. If it hadn’t been for her stopping everything we threw at them, we’d have won.”

With the two sides drawn in the same group at the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003, the coaches indulged in a few cloak and dagger tactics in the hopes of unveiling their opponent’s weaknesses while masking their own.

China coach Ma Liangxing, for example, blooded a number of new players rather than field his usual side, leaving core players Bai Jie, Pu Wei, Liu Ying and Ren Liping on the bench. Not only did this give his novices some international experience, it also served to ensure Australia would not be given the opportunity to adjust to China’s typical starting eleven.

For his part, Australia’s coach, Adrian Santrac, was forced to deal with the fact that a number of his players were suffering from a gastric condition contracted since arriving in China. Midfielder Bryony Duus spent the day in the hospital and was unable to play in the match

China feeling more comfortable

Victory in the first of the two matches had given coach Ma’s confidence a boost, and he sent out an even more experiemental line-up this time, pairing veteran Sun Wen with rising star Teng Wei up front, and combining Pan Lina, Pu Wei, Qu Feifei and Xie Caixia in midfield. The defensive quartet consisted of Wang Liping, Fan Yunjie, Gao Hongxia, Sun Rui, with Han Wenxia in goal.
  
Less than five minutes into the match, Xie Caixia capitalized on a goalkeeper error and knocked the ball into the empty net to give China the perfect start. The first half was played at a quick pace, and China for the most part dominated proceedings.

The hosts almost doubled their advantage midway through the first half, but Australian goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri pushed Sun Wen’s blistering shot around the post.

As the match slowed in the second half, the Matildas began to find more space, but they continued to be out-gunned by the lightening quick Chinese counterattack. In the 37th minute of the second half, Zhang Ouying, on in place of Xie Caixia, crossed perfectly for Teng Wei to head in and seal the win.

Sun Wen commented after the match: “We’ve played the United States more times than anyone in the World Cup, so of course we’re more familiar with them than any other team. That’s why in the group phase we have to play every team like we’re playing against the Americans.”

Australia continue their world tour, travelling to face the English in Burnley Thursday night. It is the first time the two will meet in a woman’s international. The Matildas round-out their USA 2003 preparations with matches against Scotland (6 September, in Livingston) and Canada (14 September, in Kingston, Ontario).

China have two further friendlies set up, both against South Africa on the 4th and the 7th of September.

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