Australia sweep past Argentina to win Cup of Nations

MELBOURNE: Australia swept past Argentina 3-0 Wednesday to secure victory in the inaugural four-team Cup of Nations and lay down their credentials ahead of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.First-half strikes by Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy plus a late penalty from Caitlin Foord sealed a comfortable win in Melbourne against the South Americans, who lost all three games in the round-robin event, leaking 10 goals and scoring none.Earlier, South Korea snatched two late goals to beat New Zealand 2-0 and finish second.All four teams are bound for the World Cup in France, with the Cup of Nations designed to simulate a group stage at the global showcase, with three matches in a short timeframe.The Matildas, ranked sixth in the world, came through with flying colours, beating the Koreans 4-1 and New Zealand 2-0 to give them a flawless record under new coach Ante Milicic.A former assistant with the Australian men’s team, Milicic was appointed last month after previous coach Alen Stajcic was dumped amid concerns about “player welfare”.Irrepressible skipper Kerr got on the scoresheet after just four minutes, climbing unmarked to meet a corner at the near post and putting a powerful header past goalkeeper Vanina Correa.The second also came from a corner with Kennedy heading home from close range.It was one-way traffic with the Matildas creating a host of other chances, and they finally got a third in injury time from the penalty spot after Steph Catley was hauled down during a goalmouth scramble.In the earlier game, 14th-ranked South Korea battled past world number 19 New Zealand, largely against the run of play.Substitute Ji So-yun scored the opener on 74 minutes in a game of few chances, striking a superb shot from outside the area which beat keeper Erin Nayler.Despite pressing hard for an equaliser, Tom Sermanni’s team couldn’t find the breakthrough and South Korea grabbed a second with three minutes left when Moon Mi-ra pounced for a simple tap in after Nayler failed to hang on to a save.

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