Liberia (14) v (3) Australia

By Finn Bradshaw

LIBERIA has easily accounted for a brave Australian outfit, winning 14-3 at Melbourne Pitch this afternoon.

Led by Veronica Davies – who would be close to the best player in the women's tournament – Liberia always had control of the game, to claim its fourth win of the tournament.

Australia was dealt a blow early on when captain Toni Whelan had to helped from the field when she copped a Davies thunderbolt in her midriff. She returned to lead the side in the second half.

Davies asserted her dominance from the outset, scoring the game's first goal and being instrumental in most of Liberia's attacking moves.

Liberia had five goals on the board before the home team scored its first – a long range strike from Emma Highwood.

Monica Cooper made sure Liberia ended the half on a high, winning the ball then beating the keeper in a one-on-one showdown.

Australia traded goals with the Africans to start the second half, and when Cheryl Dunleavy scored a penalty, the crowd started to stir.

But another goal to Davies – marking her hat-trick and a brace from Bendu Goi, on her way to four for the match put the Africans back in control.

Photos: Photoworx