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Matildas vs New Zealand highlights: Matildas win 2-0

4th June, 2016
Kickoff: 3:00pm local (AEST)
Venue: Morshead Park Stadium, Ballarat
TV: Live on ABC and Fox Sport 2
After a 9-0 win over Vietnam, the Matildas are pushing for Olympic qualification (Source: Wiki Commons)
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4th June, 2016
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Match result:

The Matildas have continued their winning form in the lead-up to their Rio 2016 campaign with a 2-0 win over New Zealand in Ballarat.

REPORT: MATILDAS TOO GOOD FOR FERNS

Final score
Australia 2
New Zealand 0

Match preview:

The Matildas are taking their final steps towards the Rio Olympics with a two-match series against eastern neighbours New Zealand. Join The Roar this afternoon from 3pm (AEST), for all the live highlights and action coming out of the first Olympic warm-up game between the two.

Despite being a friendly and a warm-up, Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has brought back eight of his overseas based stars, bolstering an Australian line-up that could well be the strongest squad to take into the Olympics.

American based players Steph Catley, Kyah Simon, Lydia Williams, Laura Alleway and Alanna Kennedy will return for the fixture with their domestic seasons midway through an international break.

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German based duo Elise Kellond-Knight and Emily van Egmond will also join the squad after the conclusion of the Frauen-Bundesliga.

“I keep in touch with them regularly to see how they’re going so we’re well on top of how they’re progressing with their clubs,” said Stajcic of his overseas players, “it will be good to have them back.”

Undefeated in their last six internationals, the Matlidas have been flying towards Olympic medal contention in the last 12 months, cementing themselves as a top three side in the hunt for gold.

The Football Ferns aren’t missing out on Rio though, qualifying themselves earlier this year.

Ranked 16 in the FIFA world rankings, New Zealand are a long shot for medal contention at the Olympics.

Despite their standing beneath the Australians, and recent results that have left a lot to be desired, it must not be forgotten than the Kiwis have risen as high as 20 places over the past two years in the aforementioned FIFA rankings.

Veteran (at only 28-years old) Ali Riley will play her 100th cap for the Football Ferns, having made her debut at just 19 in a loss to, could you guess it, Australia.

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Prediction
The Matildas had a great campaign through Olympic qualifying earlier in the year, barely dropping their guards to fly through atop the standings in the Asian bracket.

Although it is a warm up game, and both sides will be looking to iron out those kinks and really get their rhythm rolling into Rio, it’s hard to see the Australians dropping this one.

Matildas to win 4-1

Can the Matildas cement their status as Gold medal contenders with a dominant showing before Rio? Or will the Football Ferns steal a win away from home to boost their confidence for the Olympics? Catch all the live highlights and football action on The Roar from 3pm (AEST).

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