Match Report
The CommBank Matildas have defeated Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park in Perth to begin the Joe Montemurro era with a victory.
Emily Gielnik opened the scoring in the third minute before Holly McNamara – her first goal for the national team - and Hayley Raso sealed the result in the second half.
Joe Montemurro’s first team as Head Coach featured eight changes from the team’s last game against Argentina. Ellie Carpenter captained the team in the absence of Steph Catley, while Alex Chidiac and Emily Gielnik were rewarded with starts in their first call-ups since November last year.
Montemurro had expressed his footballing philosophy in the wake of his appointment – attacking, front-foot football - and fans got an early taste of what that might look like.
Within minutes, Amy Sayer almost forced an own goal after a cross from the left-hand side. Slovenia failed to clear the resulting corner. It fell to the feet of Emily Gielnik, who made no mistake from close range and scored her 13th national team goal.
Slovenia were never going to make it simple for Australia, hitting the crossbar after a period of pressure from the visitors and always looking threatening on the ball.
Australia, too, were threatening. Sayer continued her impressive form since her return to the national team, most notably with a powerful run through midfield to play in McNamara. McNamara opted to play it back to her teammate, whose shot blazed over.
The CommBank Matildas had a chance to double their advantage just before half-time. A barnstorming run from captain Carpenter cut open Slovenia’s defence. Her pass found Gielnik, whose shot was saved well with the legs by the Slovenian goalkeeper Zala Meršnic.
