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
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.
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.
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).
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Gee.....I guess that went down like a lead balloon.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Click here for the full match report from this game. Make sure to join me later tonight for the Socceroos vs Greece at 8:00pm
Connor Bennett
Editor
The result shows the better side on the day but Alen Stajcic will have wanted a bit more form that. Neither side really took hold of the game and slipped in front of goal on more than one occasion.
Connor Bennett
Editor
AUSTRALIA WIN 2-0
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The final whistle goes and the home crowd give the Matildas a good ovation. Two goals was the final difference in a tight, and somewhat messy game of football. Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 Tamika Butt finds the crossbar!! Oh so nearly finds the back of the net but the gloves do the work once again in front of the kiwi goal. Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +4 minutes of stoppage time Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' Foord across to Butt who decides to take the shot on goal. Outside the box, hits it well off the right boot but the New Zealand keeper once again saves the day for the Ferns. She has had an outstanding game between the sticks Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
89' Kyah Simon on goal!! Great steel at the back from some lazy back line play. Simon rook one touch and had the shot from outside the box, she really could have run that in with no one in front of her. Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
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Editor
88' Neither side giving up. New Zealand are desperate to get on the board and the Matildas want to keep their ruthless attitude alive Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
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Editor
87' Australia plugging away at the back .Just knocking it around but they give away the ball with a sloppy pass. Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
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Editor
85' Australia are really breaking through in these dying minutes. The kiwis are looking spent in the midfield Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
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Editor
84' Foord is release down the left flank. No one in sight as she heads in towards the box. No support so she has to go alone. Eventually being swamped by a four on one and there was no way of getting through that. Good scramble defence from the Ferns. Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' Australia break away down field!! Tamika Butt is in the middle but the cross just flies over her noggin and the Ferns get away with some tired defence. Looking up the left wing for a counter of their own now. Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' New Zealand asking big questions of the Aussie defence!! Plays it in from the right corner but the Matildas deal with the cross and get the clearance away. Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
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Editor
81' SUBSTITUTION Lisa De Vanna makes her way off the park for Larissa Crummer. Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
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Editor
80' Coming into the final ten minutes. You feel the result is sealed but both sides need to finish strong here Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
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Editor
79' The tides just look to be turning a touch, the Aussie girls are falling to the back as New Zealand push forward down the wings Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
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Editor
78' Ferns are pressing the Matildas half. Great ball to Perreria at the top of the box!! She turns, tries to hit it but just duffs the shot badly, and it rolls slowly into the waiting hands of the keeper. Good chance for the kiwis Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' Sneaking down the right side line, the off side flag kills the Ferns momentum though as the Matildas head back up field Australia - 2 New Zealand - 0