Updated at 9:37 a.m., Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Kai scores in USA win over Australia
Associated Press
Kristine Lilly scored a goal and assisted on another to Hawaii's Natasha Kai in a 2-0 win over Australia on Tuesday in Cheonan, South Korea, moving the United States within a win of qualifying for the Peace Queen Cup final.The United States leads Asian Cup runner-up Australia by one point in Group B with one preliminary round match left in the friendly tournament, a tuneup for the Americans ahead of regional qualifiers for the 2007 World Cup in China.
A loss would have put the two-time World Champions out of contention for the $200,000 winner's prize as only the two group leaders advance to Saturday's final. Canada (2-0) leads Group A by two points over Brazil.
Lilly drove a shot inside the far post in the 19th minute after outpacing a defender on the left. She also scored in Sunday's 1-1 tie with Denmark.
"When Lilly starts getting back in form, balls start flying in," coach Greg Ryan said. "And she seems to be going through one of those spells now."
The U.S. captain, playing her 315th match, then saw her lunging shot rebound off sprawled goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri and into the path of Kai, who made it 2-0 in the 34th minute.
Joanne Burgess missed out on an early equalizer for the Matildas when she struck the woodwork in the 23rd. She had another chance 5 minutes before halftime but shot weakly with her left to give Barbieri an easy save.
The United States plays its last group match Thursday against the Netherlands, which lost 1-0 to Denmark on Tuesday.
"To get in the final it's going to come down to goal difference, so we're going to have to play a very offensive game to score goals and win it," Ryan said.
