The CommBank Matildas have defeated Haiti 7-1 to end the October international window on a high note.
Leticia McKenna scored a double in her first start for the national team before second-half goals to Caitlin Foord, Daniela Galic, Clare Wheeler, Holly McNamara and an own goal sealed the comprehensive result.
Head Coach Joe Montemurro made four changes to the side that took on Germany earlier in the window. Courtney Nevin and Charli Grant came into defence, replacing Steph Catley – who departed camp as part of a managed approach to the window – and Ellie Carpenter, who started from the bench. In midfield, Leticia McKenna replaced Amy Sayer, while Alana Murphy replaced Emily van Egmond.
Australia were on the scoresheet within 80 seconds. Clare Wheeler did exceptionally well to reel the ball in at the byline. Her cutback found Leticia McKenna, whose first-time finish was definitive.
Their lead did not last long. Haiti were always going to be a threat in transition, and so it proved. Melchie Dumornay got on the end of a ball in behind Australia’s defence. The OL Lyonnes striker was clinical, finishing past Arnold in goal and levelling the score.
The CommBank Matildas had the majority of possession, but Haiti continued to be dangerous in those counterattacking moments. In the 33rd minute, Brittany Raphino came close from one of those situations, a rebound off Arnold hitting the crossbar. Arnold managed to save the follow-up.
McKenna completed her double just before half-time. Sam Kerr kept it alive in the penalty area, playing it to McKenna, who laid it back for Hayley Raso. Raso’s shot was blocked, but it came back out to McKenna, who twisted her body well to get the shot away on goal and send her side into the half-time break with the advantage.
The momentum of the game changed in the second half, with Australia on the front foot throughout.
Alana Murphy came close to scoring her first international goal with a curling effort requiring a wonderful save around the post. Australia would find their second only moments later, however, with Sam Kerr forcing an own goal after being played through by Caitlin Foord.
Kerr returned the favour in the 65th minute. She played a ball to Foord, who made no mistake one-on-one and added Australia’s fourth.
That goal prompted Montemurro to turn to the bench for the first time, with four changes. Remy Siemsen, Daniela Galic, Alexia Apostolakis and Holly McNamara were introduced in place of Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey, Leticia McKenna and Sam Kerr.
The substitute Galic scored her first senior international goal seven minutes later. She was on the end of a lovely defence-splitting pass from former junior international teammate Alana Murphy, and curled it past the goalkeeper to complete a special moment for the 20-year-old.
Clare Wheeler added to the total not long after, her cross floating into the back of the net from the right-hand side.
That prompted another four changes. Chloe Lincoln was sent on for ten minutes between the sticks, while Tori Tumeth, Alex Chidiac and Jamilla Rankin also came on for Courtney Nevin, Clare Wheeler and Charli Grant.
Holly McNamara made it seven with her fourth international goal in the final few minutes of the game. Her shot snuck underneath the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation to cap off a dominant second-half for the CommBank Matildas.
It was a satisfying performance for the team, who will next convene for games against Colombia in Australia next month.
Match Summary
Haiti: 1 (Dumornay 3')
Australia: 7 (McKenna 2', 44', OG 53', Foord 65', Galic 73', Wheeler 80', McNamara 90')
Haiti: 1. Naila Louissaint (GK), 3. Jennyfer Limage (14. Amandine Pierre-Louis 75'), 6. Melchie Dumornay, 7. Batcheba Louis (19. Lourdjina Etienne 75'), 8. Brittany Raphino (15. Darlina Joseph 75'), 9. Sherly Jeudy, 10. Nerilia Mondesir, 11. Roseline Eloissaint (17. Chelsea Domond 46'), 16. Claire Constant, 20. Kethna Louis (2. Chelsea Surpris 63'), 21. Anyssa Ibrahim (22. Nya Jean-Baptiste 63')
Unused substitutes: 23. Kelly Maignan (GK), 4. Jasmine Vilgrain, 5. Laurie-Ann Moise, 12. Danique Ypema, 13. Audrey Francois, 18. Josephine Vanuxeem, 24. Tabita Joseph, 25. Maudeline Moryl
Yellow cards: Pierre-Louis 78'
Australia: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (GK) (12. Chloe Lincoln (GK) 80'), 2. Courtney Nevin (27. Tori Tumeth 80'), 3. Winonah Heatley, 6. Clare Wheeler (13. Alex Chidiac 80'), 8. Kaitlyn Torpey (28. Alexia Apostolakis 66'), 9. Caitlin Foord, 15. Alana Murphy, 16. Hayley Raso (29. Daniela Galic 66'), 19. Leticia McKenna (26. Remy Siemsen 66'), 20. Sam Kerr (25. Holly McNamara 66'), 22. Charlotte Grant (5. Jamilla Rankin 80')
Unused substitutes: 18. Courtney Newbon (GK), 10. Emily van Egmond, 11. Leah Davidson, 17. Amy Sayer, 21. Ellie Carpenter, 24. Hana Lowry
Yellow cards: Wheeler 30', Nevin 58'
