WAIS individual athlete support program product Lisa de Vanna has produced a standout performance in Australia’s 2-2 football draw with Italy at Parramatta Stadium over the weekend.
de Vanna netted a sensational strike in the 53rd minute after cutting in from the right wing and hitting a fizzing left foot shot which rocketed into the roof of the net. Despite her heroics, de Vanna’s strike wasn’t enough for victory as the 12th ranked Iatalians twice came from behind to snatch the draw after Matildas legend Cheryl Salisbury converted a penalty in her 151st and final appearance for Australia.
The first half had proved a tense affair with defenses hard to penetrate but de Vanna’s goal ignited the game as a contest with Italy’s Pamela Conti equalizing just four minutes after the dimutive West Australian.
Australia nearly reclaimed the lead just after the hour mark when de Vanna’s pace set up an opportunity for Katie Gill – who headed narrowly wide. Sarah Walsh gained Australia a penalty after she was brought down by the goalkeeper, allowing Salisbury to strike a fairytale goal before retirement. But the Italians wouldn’t be denied when in the 78th minute Alessia Tuffino scorched in a 20m strike that thundered in off the cross-bar.
For Salisbury the result couldn’t detract from the momories of a wonderful career that yielded 38 goals and saw her feature in two Olympic campaigns and four world cups.
“All week I have been quite excited as I love playing and being out on the pitch, but at the same time I knew I was ready to go,” said Salisbury.
“I just wanted to go out and have a great game. A few of the girls said that had dreamt of earning a penalty and me scoring a penalty so I guess dreams do come true!
“I would have preferred to not score a penalty and to have kept a clean sheet.”
Matildas coach Tom Sermanni rued his side’s lapses in concentration but was ultimately happy with the result.
“It was a fair result, though a reason I would be unhappy was that we got in front twice and we should have gone with it from there,” he said.
The second clash between the two sides is on Saturday 7 February in Canberra.
