CommBank Matildas defeat Korea Republic 1-0 in front of strong Sydney crowd
The CommBank Matildas have defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in front of over 37,000 fans at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The only goal of the match was an own goal that was created by a cross into the box from midfielder Emily van Egmond.
Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni made five changes from the team's last international against Colombia at the SheBelieves Cup in February.
Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter and Katrina Gorry were all unavailable due to injury, while Michelle Heyman and Clare Hunt were dropped to the bench. Holly McNamara, Winonah Heatley, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy and first-time starter Jamilla Rankin replaced them.
Rankin’s first-ever start was also her second appearance for the national team – and first at home - after her debut in 2022 against Spain. McNamara, meanwhile, was making her first home appearance for the CommBank Matildas.
Australia flew out of the blocks early and applied immediate pressure to Korea Republic’s defense. The best of the early chances came when Tameka Yallop forced a smart save with a shot from distance in the 14th minute.
Both sides showed they were up for the battle and a physical contest emerged. There was a lengthy stoppage around the 20th-minute mark when Caitlin Foord required treatment for a facial injury following a strong collision.
However, she was able to play on with little impairment and began to make her mark on the match. Her link-up play with Holly McNamara was particularly impressive. It was a ball from McNamara to release Foord just before the half-time break that created the team’s best opportunity of the half - Foord’s shot was saved by Kim Minjung.
Despite the inability to break the deadlock, it was a positive first 45 minutes for the CommBank Matildas, creating several opportunities and holding Korea Republic to very few of their own.
Kyra Cooney-Cross tried to take matters into her own hands immediately from kick-off. Shrugging off two or three Korea Republic defenders, she advanced towards the edge of the penalty area in a solo run that - for a moment - looked destined to end in a shot. She forced Korea Republic into committing a foul instead. The resulting free kick by Alanna Kennedy couldn’t beat the defensive wall.
Australia continued to apply the pressure. Some excellent one-touch football released Holly McNamara, whose ball across the face of goal only narrowly evaded the onrushing attacker.
The breakthrough came soon after. The ball came out to Emily van Egmond on the edge of the penalty area. Her ball may have been intended for the head of a teammate, but instead it found Korea Republic’s Lim Seon-Joo, who could only watch helplessly as it deflected from her header over her goalkeeper and into the back of their own net for an own goal.
The CommBank Matildas had the goal that they had fought for, and soon after, Sermanni made the first changes of the game. Courtney Nevin, Clare Wheeler and Kaitlyn Torpey were introduced in place of Jamilla Rankin, Winonah Heatley and Holly McNamara.
Ten minutes later – in the 72nd minute – Mary Fowler and Michelle Heyman were introduced in place of Caitlin Foord and Tameka Yallop.
The substitutes were immediately involved in the action. A great ball over the top found Heyman, who played it central towards Fowler. The Manchester City star cut back inside to find a shooting angle only to watch the ball go agonizingly wide after a deflection from the legs of the defence.
Korea Republic pushed for the equaliser late in the game. Teagan Micah was forced into a pair of saves after consecutive corners, the most impressive of which came after Shin Na-Yeong’s header looked destined to finish in the bottom corner. However, Australia were able to hold on to the clean sheet and the win.
The team will now look ahead to the match against the same opponent on Monday evening in Newcastle as they look to carry on their momentum from this victory.
Match Summary
Australia 1 (Lim Seonjoo OG 54’)
Korea Republic 0
Australia: Teagan Micah (GK), Winonah Heatley (Wheeler 63’), Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord (Heyman 72’), Emily van Egmond (Hunt 89’), Tameka Yallop (Fowler 72’), Alanna Kennedy, Holly McNamara (Torpey 63’), Charlotte Grant, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Jamilla Rankin (Nevin 63’)
Unused Substitutes: Natasha Prior, Chloe Lincoln (GK), Leah Davidson, Sally James (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nil
Korea Republic: Kim Minjung (GK), Lim Seonjoo, Shin Nayeong, Kim Shinji (Eunyoung 90’), Ji Soyun, Choe Yuri (Dakyeong 75’), Lee Youngju, Lee Geummin (Chaerim 75’), Kim Hyeri, Choo Hyojoo, Casey Phair (Eunhu 56’).
Unused Substitutes: Kim Kyeonghee (GK), Jeong Yujin, Bae Yebin, Ko Yoojin, Choi Yoojung, Lee Deokju, Jung Minyoung, Kim Myeong Jin
Yellow Cards: Lim Seonjoo (45+3’)
NEXT MATCH:
Commbank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Monday, 7 April 2025
Kick-off: 7:30 pm AEST
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets