WATCH: Montemurro era off to winning start with 3-0 win against Slovenia
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.
It was Slovenia, though, who had the momentum after the break. Zara Kramzar had a golden opportunity in the 51st minute to equalise after finding the ball at her feet right in front of goal, but fired her shot straight at Teagan Micah.
Montemurro made a double change a third of the way through the half as he urged his team to turn it around. Alex Chidiac and Winonah Heatley were replaced by Michelle Heyman and Natasha Prior respectively.
The move saw Alanna Kennedy move into midfield, where she has played her club football this season.
McNamara was busy throughout the game and had the opportunity to give her team some breathing space with another goal in the 64th minute. She showed off her pace as she raced ahead of defenders in transition, but her shot was saved superbly by Meršnic.
Three more changes came in the 74th minute. Jamilla Rankin replaced Courtney Nevin at left-back, while Remy Siemsen and Hayley Raso entered play in place of Emily van Egmond and Emily Gielnik respectively.
Just when it looked like Australia would be holding on for the win, it was Holly McNamara who finally found a way through for the second goal. Amy Sayer found space on the left, with her ball into the middle cruising to Hayley Raso, who pinpointed McNamara’s diving header. It was the 22-year-old’s first goal for the national team.
They had a third only moments later via their super sub. Raso made it look easy as she took the ball from midfield to just outside the penalty area. Her finish was sublime – placed deftly into the corner of the net – and quashed any questions about the result.
Charli Grant entered the field of play in between the two goals, stretching her legs at right-back for the last five or so minutes in place of Ellie Carpenter.
The game ended in victory for the CommBank Matildas, but the hard work will continue with the new coach ahead of game two against Slovenia on Sunday.
Match Summary
Australia: 3 (Gielnik 3’, McNamara 86’, Raso 87’)
Slovenia: 0
Australia: 12. Teagan Micah (GK), 3. Winonah Heatley (5. Natasha Prior 64’), 4. Clare Hunt, 10. Emily van Egmond (35. Remy Siemsen), 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Emily Gielnik (16. Hayley Raso), 17. Amy Sayer, 21. Ellie Carpenter (22. Charli Grant 87’), 25. Holly McNamara, 27. Alex Chidiac (32. Michelle Heyman 64’), 29. Jamilla Rankin (2. Courtney Nevin 74’)
Unused Substitutes: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (GK), 18. Jada Whyman (GK), 8. Kaitlyn Torpey, 23. Kyra Cooney-Cross, 31. Alana Murphy
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Slovenia: 1. Zala Meršnic (GK), 2. Lana Golob, 3. Sara Agrež, 6. Kaja Korošec, 10. Dominika Conc (12. Tinkara Testen 72’), 11. Lara Prašnikar (13. Zala Kuštrin 78’) 14. Špela Kolbi (17. Izebela Križaj 61’), 15. Sara Makovec (18. Sara Ketiš 60’), 16. Kaja Eržen, 20. Zara Kramžar (7. Nina Kajzba 61’), 23. Maja Sternad (21. Korina Janež 60’)
Unused substitutes: 22. Melania Pasar (GK), 4. Sara Gradišek, 5. Naja Poje Mihelic, 8. Matja Zver, 9. Mirjam Kastelec, 19. Zala Vindišar
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil