The Matildas, reeling from a 0-5 demolition by China in a friendly international in Tianjin during the week, drew on more experienced players (including sadly retiring Di Alagich) to defeat a very combative New Zealand 1-0 at North Sydney Oval today.
The Football Ferns from New Zealand were preparing for their Olympic games assault, with a group of death comprising Japan, Norway, and USA. This solid hit-out versus a rebuilding Matildas was a great tonic for them, and coach John Heardman was pleased enough. The result however was the 18th consecutive defeat for the NZ women at the hands of the Matildas since 1994.
The first half started with some bright football, with Kiwi Ali Riley tearing up the right wing, and getting a nice cross into the centre only to see it cut out by Salisbury. One minute later down the same side of the field Heather Garriock slipped a nice pass through to Kyah Simon, but she was closed quickly by the defence.
In the 9th minute Australia were putting pressure on and Di Alagich got forward to head a Garriock corner just over the crossbar. Polkinghorne dropped a ball into the area to early substitute Leena Khamis but she 'tripped' in the long grass - minutes later she had the ball in the net with a fine volley off a long range Garriock free kick (but was judged to have moved off-side too soon).
It was Khamis however who made the difference in the contest when in the 35th minute she gained the advantage from the North Sydney Oval bounce, to have the ball stand up for her from another Garriock free kick from inside her own half, to nod it over the advancing 'keeper Jenny Bindon and into the net. 1-0
The second half however was pretty much New Zealand's with constant pressure from Riley supported by captain Hayley Morwood and Anna Green. Morwood slammed a shot from an angle into the side-netting early on signalling that the Kiwi girls were up for it.
It looked like a clear chance for the Kiwis with Amber Hearn free one-on-one with subsitute keeper Lydia Williams, but advantage was not played for some inexplicable reason by referee Szokolai.
Australia's Unzular butchered an opportunity by blasting accross goal but it was Oostdam that had the last chance, making Williams save at the near post.
The game gave Di Alagich a fitting farewell after her 86th and final full international match for the Matildas - the same game that captain Cheryl Salisbury amazingly gained her 150th cap.
I wish good luck to the Football Ferns at Beijing (with the Matildas out of the show)! They fly out to China on Sunday for two internationals against the Olympic hosts in Qinhuangdao before finishing their pre-Olympic build-up with matches against Singapore and Canada in Singapore. New Zealand then return to Qinhuangdao to begin their Olympic campaign against Japan (August 6) and Norway (August 9) before finishing group play against the USA in Shenyang on August 12.