Australia have managed a dramatic 2-1 win over New Zealand. In their first game since the Asian Cup quarter final, Australia were dominant but largely frustrated by an organized, disciplined and very fortunate Football Ferns side.
The Matildas started in the ascendancy. Tony Gustavsson named a line up with no defensive players in the midfield. The plan looked to be to dominate possession and create chances.
Despite enjoying a seemingly endless succession of goal scoring opportunities and controlling the tempo of the match, Australia could not score. Anna Green barely needed half a chance to take a shock lead for New Zealand in the 32nd minute. Her speculative, swerving effort dipped past Lydia Williams to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
The second half followed much the same pattern. Hayley Raso had another chance after a direct sprint from halfway. Mary Fowler came close and Caitlin Foord hit the crossbar.
Alanna Kennedy was pushed forward in the dying stages and Cortnee Vine was introduced, but it was Emily van Egmond who levelled the scores.
An Australian counter-attack found Van Egmond in space and her well struck shot from just inside the box finally beat the outstanding Esson.
Cortnee Vine won a corner kick after cutting down the by-line. Steph Catley’s set piece caused a scramble and Sam Kerr was on hand to nod the ball home at the death.
Australia face New Zealand on Tuesday in Canberra as they seek to rediscover their scoring touch after leaving it late.
Key Takeaways
A FRUSTRATING AND FAMILIAR TALE
As with the Asian Cup quarter final, Australia dominated the early proceedings. They created numerous clear cut chances but failed to score first. They found different avenues to goal through Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon and Clare Polkinghorne.
Just as with the Asian Cup, they had rarely looked more fluid or dynamic, and just as in the Asian Cup, they failed to capitalise on the early momentum.
The Matildas had registered nine shots on goal before New Zealand took the lead. Anna Green’s effort may have been meant as a cross but it will go down as a goal. It has not happened enough for it to be called a pattern, but it is an area of real concern and cannot be fixed by the coaches.
The Matildas rattled the woodwork repeatedly and brought the best out of Esson in goal. They were eventually rewarded for the countless attacks, so it may be down to luck. Australian fans will hope it continues to fall in our favour.
GORRY DOMINATES
The former Brisbane Roar playmaker started in her first game back with the national team since February 2020. Earlier in the week Tony Gustavsson had identified that the team lacked a link between defence and attack. Gorry’s positioning as the deepest midfielder was designed to remedy this.
She made a difference. Gorry is a clever and brave passer of the ball who has the natural inclination to look forward as soon as she receives it. She is comfortable in possession and has a good burst of pace than can take her into pockets of space and out of pressure.
Gorry dominated the early proceedings and conducted the play much as she did for Brisbane Roar in the A-League Women. Against some sides, Australia may need a more defensive presence in the ‘6’ position, but when Australia can dominate possession, there are few better options than Katrina Gorry.
PLAYERS CAN SCORE FROM RANGE
Australia creates a lot of very good chances, but they do have players that do not require a perfect final ball to score. Emily Gielnik, Alex Chidiac and Kyah Simon are all players with as long range shot in their arsenal. They are capable of the type of goal that The Matildas have been undone by.
Katrina Gorry tried her luck from distance on a few occasions but few others attempted to score from outside of the box.
It is a rudimentary tactic and will not register high on the XG calculators, but creating space for these players to shoot from longer range may open another avenue to goal rarely explored in the last two games.
FINAL SCORE:
Australia: 2 (van Egmond (93m) Kerr (94m)
New Zealand: 1: Anna Green (32m)
