Matildas Take Control in Confident Win Over New Zealand
So, this friendly between Australia and New Zealand really turned into a statement performance from the Matildas, especially in that opening half. From the moment the match kicked off in Gosford, you could feel a certain sharpness and rhythm that hasn’t always been evident in recent months. The team settled quickly, moving the ball around with purpose, and it didn’t take long for that control to show on the scoreboard.
The first breakthrough came when New Zealand failed to properly clear a long ball. Katrina Gorry was quick to gather the loose header and calmly slipped a perfectly weighted pass through to Amy Sayer. With a level of composure beyond her years, Sayer simply side-footed the ball into the net, giving Australia a 1-0 lead. It was one of those goals that felt inevitable because of how confidently the Matildas were playing.
And if the first goal showed calmness, the second one showed instinct. A poor backwards pass from New Zealand’s Maya Hahn was pounced on by Hayley Raso, who wasted no time shaping the ball onto her left foot. With the Kiwi goalkeeper caught out of position, Raso curled a beautiful shot that clipped the post on its way into the net. It was a classy finish and a moment that instantly lifted the energy in the stadium.
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As the half continued, Australia kept pushing with sleek, incisive moves. Caitlin Foord, Raso, and Sayer constantly probed the New Zealand defence, while Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross were dictating play through midfield. The Matildas weren’t relying on long balls or counterattacks; instead, they were building up through neat combination play, showing just how dangerous they can be when the passes click.
New Zealand did have a few promising moments — especially through Indiah-Paige Riley, who repeatedly tried to spark something down the right. She even unleashed a powerful shot that had Mackenzie Arnold leaping, but it flew just high. But overall, the Ferns struggled defensively, often creating their own problems by giving the ball away under pressure.
There was even a late chance for Raso to add another when the Kiwi goalkeeper ventured too far off her line, but a deflection kept the score at 2-0 heading into halftime. Still, the message was clear: Australia had delivered their most convincing half under coach Joe Montemurro so far.
With the Asian Cup just a few months away, and squad spots very much up for grabs, performances like this matter. Young players like Sayer are using every minute to prove they belong in the core group. And while Sam Kerr started on the bench — still building back from long-term injury — the crowd was buzzing at the possibility of seeing her return on home soil.
Overall, it was a night that showed the Matildas’ depth, discipline, and growing confidence, and it sets the stage beautifully for the rest of their preparation.
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