CommBank Matildas defeat Korea Republic in Newcastle to complete perfect window
The CommBank Matildas defeated Korea Republic 2-0 in front of a record 28,000 fans in Newcastle on Monday evening.
Mary Fowler scored in the first half before Kaitlyn Torpey turned in a deflection midway through the second half. The result means that the CommBank Matildas have finished the window with two wins and two clean sheets.
Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni made three changes to the team that lined up on Friday evening in Sydney. Courtney Nevin came in at left-back for Jamilla Rankin, Mary Fowler replaced Caitlin Foord up top, and hometown hero Clare Wheeler started in midfield at the expense of Winonah Heatley.
Both teams came out of the blocks quickly, looking to find an early advantage. Emily van Egmond had the ball in the back of the net within minutes of the game but was denied by a foul in the lead-up.
Holly McNamara was also busy in the early stages, catching Korea Republic’s defense unaware to snatch the ball and almost steal in behind for a goal.
South Korea had plenty of threats of their own for Australia to deal with. Charli Grant’s covering pace at right-back was important on several occasions as the visitors were able to hit quickly on the counterattack.
There was a long period of stoppage in the 33rd minute after a head clash between Tameka Yallop and Alanna Kennedy. Both required several minutes of medical attention – but were both okay to re-enter play.
While both teams were creating promising chances, there was nothing particularly clear-cut for much of the first half. That all changed just before the half-time break.
Courtney Nevin found herself in space on the left, and put in a pinpoint ball to Emily van Egmond on the edge of the area. Van Egmond took a touch and played through Mary Fowler. Fowler was able to find space in a crowded box to get the shot away, and – in typical fashion – struck true
Australia had scored their first goal before the half-time break in four matches, and were able to go into the sheds with the lead and full of confidence.
There was one change at half-time. Caitlin Foord was introduced in place of Holly McNamara and came close to making an instant impact. Within seconds of coming on, she latched onto a Nevin ball and was able to get a shot away inside the penalty area – unfortunately for Australia, it was straight at Korea Republic’s goalkeeper.
There were two more changes at the 60th minute mark. Clare Hunt and Kaitlyn Torpey were introduced, replacing Alanna Kennedy and Tameka Yallop respectively.
Torpey forced in the second goal minutes later. Mary Fowler put in a great ball to Caitlin Foord in the penalty area. She had three strikes on goal - the first was saved onto the crossbar, and the next two were blocked - before the ball eventually came out to Torpey. The 25-year-old shot powerfully towards the far post, with the strike deflected in off the foot of Lim Seon-joo.
It should have been a three-goal advantage in the 68th minute, when Foord had another golden opportunity directly in front of goal, but struck wide.
There were two more changes later in the game. In the 70th minute, Newcastle Jets player Natasha Prior came on to replace Courtney Nevin - to massive cheers from the home crowd - while in the 82nd minute, Leah Davidson earned her third CommBank Matildas cap, replacing Emily van Egmond.
Korea Republic thought that they had a goal back in the 86th minute from the foot of debutant Ko Yoojin, but it was ruled out for offside.
Australia were able to hold on for the victory - and an all-important clean sheet - to finish the international window with two wins and no goals conceded against a top 20 team in the world.
Players will now return to their clubs as attention turns to the next international window, a two-match home series against Argentina.
MATCH DETAILS
CommBank Matildas 2 (Fowler 43’, OG 63’)
Korea Republic 0
Date: Monday, 7 April 2025
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Attendance: 28,019
Australia Line Up: 12. Teagan MICAH (gk), 2. Courtney NEVIN (5. Natasha PRIOR 70’), 6. Clare WHEELER, 7. Steph CATLEY (c), 10. Emily van EGMOND (24. Leah DAVIDSON 82’), 11. Mary FOWLER, 13. Tameka YALLOP (8. Kaitlyn TORPEY 60’), 14. Alanna KENNEDY (4. Clare HUNT 60’), 17. Holly MCNAMARA (9. Caitlin FOORD 46’), 22. Charli GRANT, 23. Kyra COONEY-CROSS
Subs not used: 3. Winonah HEATLEY, 18. Chloe LINCOLN (gk), 27. Jamilla RANKIN, 28. Sally JAMES (gk), 32. Michelle HEYMAN
Yellow card: Nil
Red card: Nil
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MAY/JUNE 2025 | MATCH SCHEDULE
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Friday, 30 May 2025
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Monday, 2 June 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets