The Paramatildas have tasted defeat for the first time in this year’s IFCPF Women’s World Cup, as the USA prepared for Tuesday’s final by succeeding 4-0.
Kelly Stirton made one change for the win over Spain, as Eloise Northam dropped to the bench in favour of Rae Anderson.
Australia has been known for scoring early goals to break sides open and pushed early on, but found wearing down the Americans a much more challenging task.
Just before the midway point of the first half, the United States thought they had a breakthrough, however, the referee had blown their whistle before the ball hit the back of the net, so the goal did not stand and Australia had a reprieve.
A few minutes later though, the USA had found the back of the net again, Annie Wickett converting the rebound after a wonderful Smith save, the Paramatildas’ first concession in the tournament.
The margin was doubled almost immediately after the restart, Wickett nipping in to steal the ball before slotting it past a helpless Smith, as the Americans began to pile on the misery.
In the shadows of halftime, Wickett completed her hat-trick, unleashing a strike from outside the box to send her side 3-0 up and into raptures.
After the break, Michelle Cross had cleared the ball off the line, unsure if the ball had flicked off of a Paramatildas player following a throw-in that US goalkeeper Emily Lauritsen horrendously misjudged, but her blushes were spared.
After an Anderson effort went straight to Lauritsen, a lethal counter-attack gave the USA a fourth, Rebecca Ostrander lashing the ball into the net as Australia did not know where to look.
The defeat was further marred by a potential injury to Australian goalkeeper Katelyn Smith, who took a blow in the match but was able to play through it.
The Paramatildas will now prepare for the IFCPF World Cup Final against the United States on Tuesday, with kick-off at 8:45pm AEST.
