Women’s World Cup 2011 Quarterfinals, Sweden Vs. Australia: Thrilling First Half Has Blagult 2-1 Up On Matildas

After what was arguably the most exciting and entertaining half of football thus far in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Sweden leads Australia by a score of 2-1 at halftime of their quarterfinal matchup. It looked for some time like the Matildas were going to be run over by the Blagult, but thanks to an absolute wonder strike by world class international cricketer (yes, cricketer) Ellyse Perry, Australia are very much in the match.

Sweden opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the game, thanks to some great combination play between Caroline Seger and Lotta Schelin to set up a goal for Therese Sjogran. The Blagult were able to defeat the United States without Seger, but it’s been obvious what they were missing with her out of that match in the first half of this one, as her passing has been fantastic. Her long ball to Schelin down the left wing started the attack with Schelin eventually getting the assist by beating her defender to the byline, then cutting the ball back to Sjogran, who finished low and to the near post.

The lead would double in the 16th minute, and this time, poor marking was to blame. Off of a Sjogran cross from the left wing, Lisa Dahlkvist headed in the second goal of the game, as she was completely unmarked eight yards away from goal.

Australia came close in the 38th minute when Collette McCallum lobbed in a free kick that Hedvig Lindahl completely misplayed, but luckily for Sweden the ball sailed just wide. However, the Matildas would find a goal just two minutes later, in the 40th minute.

Off of a short corner kick, Ellyse Perry took a rip with her left foot, shooting from outside the right side of the penalty area, 30 yards from her target. Her curling shot tucked just inside the post and under the crossbar, hitting the upper 90 at the far post. It was an absolutely unstoppable shot, and thanks to Perry’s brilliance, Australia are right back into the game.

Incredibly, the 20-year-old Perry is a two sport international athlete. She hasn’t yet had to permanently choose between playing international football and international cricket, and she’s world class at both. Last summer, while major tournaments in both sports were taking place, she chose to play in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 over the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Australia won that cricket tournament, and Perry was the player of the match in the final.