Australia target Ghana

...for first ever World Cup victory
Hangzhou, Sept. 11 -- Australia have targeted Ghana as a suitable side to make some historical breakthrough at the FIFA Women's World Cup, as the Matildas have yet to win a single game at the showpiece tournament.

Australia have taken part in the last three World Cup, but salvaged only two draws and seven defeats.


"We managed to get a win at the Olympic Games. That's very important for us. We have a lot of confidence to face Ghana. I'm confident that we can get our first victory at the World Cup," said Australian midfielder Joanne Peters.


The World Cup Group C opening match is set to be paradoxical, as Ghana's first ever World Cup victory was coincidentally from the Matildas(the result was 2-1) four years ago in the United States at group stage.


Given that Norway and Canada are two group favorites, Australia and Ghana have to fight for three points in the match.


"It's a key match. If we win it, it will open up the group a little more and take some of the pressure off before our second match," said Ghana boss Isaac Paha.


Ghana seem to be mysterious to their group opponents, Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen said he knew nothing about Ghana and the Australian players expressed the same feeling.

"I played Ghana in the last World Cup, but now four years have passed, they rarely travel to have matches outside Africa. So we have little knowledge about them," said Peters.


"They are quite unpredictable. But we will concentrate in ourselves. We will try to control the game by controlling the ball, we get a lot of pace up front. I think we can create some opportunities." Ghana have a better record than Australia in their World Cup clashes, the "Black Queens" tied the Aussies 1-1 in 1999, before beating them 2-1 in 2003.


Peters said the Australian men's national team's disappointing AFC Asian Cup tour doesn't have bad impact on the Matildas.


"The Socceroos had a great World Cup at Germany 2006, and we want to copy their way at the Women's World Cup. We may even do better than them."


Australia have shown great form recently. They downed hosts China twice in convincing style at two consecutive warm-ups.