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Aussies net late to progress

Australia's Collette McCallum, right, dances with Sally Shipard, front center, to celebrate their first equalizer during their Group C match against Canada at the women's World Cup in Chengdu, China, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Captain Cheryl Salisbury scored in injury time to earn Australia a place in the women's World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-2 draw against Canada yesterday.

Australia needed a share of the points to book their ticket, but it looked like it would be Canada who would go through with a win after striker Christine Sinclair scored a late header to make it 2-1.

Sinclair's 85th-minute goal, from a corner, was a sickening blow to Australia but they never gave up and Salisbury was there to score the crucial equalizer after 92 minutes.

Lisa De Vanna, a second-half substitute who has scored three goals in three games during this World Cup, broke into Canada's half and sent over a perfect cross for her captain to hit home.

Canada were 1-0 up with just a minute gone after Melissa Tancredi shot cleanly past Australia keeper Melissa Barbieri in their first attack of the game after Sinclair created the chance with a back header.

Australia had to wait for their equalizer but were back on level terms with a superb free-kick from midfield general Collette McCallum after 53 minutes.

Australia, who have been eliminated in the first round of the last three World Cups, were looking sharper and more dangerous throughout the match.

But it was Canada, semi-finalists four years ago, who went ahead through captain Sinclair's brilliant header with just five minutes left of normal time.

But her opposite number Salisbury had the last word with her 92nd minute strike levelling the score at 2-2.

The match was supposed to have been played Wednesday but was delayed until yesterday following a scheduling reshuffle because of Typhoon Wipha.

Prior to this match the sides have met 13 times in the past, sharing the honors with six wins each and one draw.
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