Two goals within three second-half minutes gave Canberra Olympic a memorable 2-0 victory over international opposition as they defeated the Fijian under-20 National Team 2-0 on a cold evening at the Australian Institute of Sport.
The Training game, played as part of Fiji’s preparations for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia later this month, was settled in favour of the home side courtesy of goals from Cara Ceruti and Tia Burridge struck within eleven minutes of the start of the second-half.
It was no more than Olympic deserved having been the better side for the vast majority of the contest, striking the woodwork twice in the opening forty-five minutes when fierce hits from Tianah Miro and Madison Cachia were pushed up onto the crossbar via alert reflex saves from the Fijian goalkeeper.
In response the South Sea Islanders, who play Brazil, France, and Canada in Group B at the World Cup tournament, created little, Janet King called into action moments before the interval in palming a shot from range over the bar and away to safety.
Olympic started the second stanza in rapid-fire fashion, seeing a huge penalty shot for a shove on Madelyn Whittall waved away by the match officials, before a well-worked free-kick routine saw Michaela Thornton find Katrina Peric whose cross was met on the volley by Ceruti, forcing a fine save.
The forward didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet however, and it was a superbly crafted goal that did it.
Whittall was played in behind the defence and stood up a beautiful cross to the far post which was met by Tehya Aspland. Her goalbound header proved too hot to handle for the Fijian custodian, and Ceruti pounced to prod home from close range.
Three minutes later and Olympic doubled their lead. A brilliant team move, involving some sharp, intricate passing, opened up a shooting avenue for Tia Burridge and, from the edge of the penalty area, the substitute arrowed home a low, firm, finish into the bottom corner of the net.
There were no more goals after that, both sides enjoying possession with no outcome before the final whistle. The evening concluded with the wonderful sight of both groups of players, arms entwinned in the centre-circle as the Fijian side sung their traditional post-game song.
MATCH DETAILS
Thursday 1 August 2024
Training game
Canberra Olympic 2 (Ceruti 53’, Burridge 56’) Fiji U20 0
(Australian Institute of Sport)
TEAM: Janet KING, Katrina PERIC, Jaya BOWMAN, Leah CARNEGIE, Michaela THORNTON, Madison CACHIA, Tehya ASPLAND, Tianah MIRO, Madelyn WHITTALL, Ella BROWN, Cara CERUTI
SUBSTUTUTES: Tia BURRIDGE, Rhiannon DAVIS, Alexia CERNE, Tiana MALNAR, Isabella HOPKINS, Abby HURMAN, Liliana AZARA, Lily D’ADDARIO, Jelena JOSIPOVIC, Sienna NESS, Uma OSBORNE
