Matildas concede injury-time equaliser as Slovenia snare 1-1 draw despite improved Australia performance

West Australian

11 hours ago

The Matildas have been stunned by a last-gasp equaliser as Slovenia secured a dramatic 1-1 draw at HBF Park to deny Australia a series sweep.
Michelle Heyman's 50th minute goal looked to have proved decisive as Australia offered up an improved showing in Joe Montemurro's second game in charge.
But their good work was undone as Slovenia levelled in the 91st minute after Naja Poje Mihelic's shot hit the post and Mirjam Kastelec slammed home the rebound.
And yet, despite the result, Montemurro would have been pleased with the Matildas performance as the 13,115 fans inside the ground witnessed an improved showing, with many of the mistakes which punctuated Thursday night's error-strewn win eradicated.
Australia found solutions with the ball to counter Slovenia's press and progress the ball up the park, with Amy Sayer and Kyra Cooney-Cross important in the middle of the park, while Clare Hunt made several crucial interventions inside the 18-yard box to sniff out danger.
Montemurro rung the changes pre-game, with five fresh faces inserted into the starting line-up and a new midfield tandem of Cooney-Cross and Alanna Kennedy, playing behind the retained Sayer.
Where Slovenia had pressed the Matildas into frequent mistakes in their first meeting, there was more calmness on the ball in the middle of the park.
After starting in midfield in the previous encounter, Winonah Heatley looked more comfortable at centre-back and made a crucial intervention just three minutes in, preventing an easy shot while almost prone on the floor.
Kennedy broke up play well and helped recycle possession, while Cooney-Cross' ability to slither out of trouble helped break the press – however, it was Sayer who impressed the most.
Constantly on the move and forever roaming into space, the 23 year-old's sharp instincts were at the heart of the Matildas' best moments in the first half.
In the 14th minute, she glided into space, turned forward and set free the similarly-impressive Ellie Carpenter down the right, who saw her dangerous crosses turned behind before Kennedy nodded a free header over from the resultant corner.
Eight minutes later, Kennedy found Heyman's feet and her flick rolled into the path of Sayer, only for Sara Gradisek's last-ditch challenge to foil Kaitlyn Torpey's finish.
Heyman then shot narrowly off target from outside box after great Cooney-Cross turn in midfield, but Slovenia were able to take the wind out of the Matildas' sails for the remainder of the half.
It took five minutes for the breakthrough to come, and once again Carpenter was involved as Australia won possession high up, Remy Siemsen slipped in the captain and Heyman was left with a simple finish.
Arnold then faced a stern test in goal shortly after as Mateja Zver raced onto a long ball, but the Slovenian shot straight at the custodian.
Only the desperation of Sara Agrez denied Siemsen from doubling the Matildas' lead in the 57th minute after a great link-up between Heyman and Charli Grant.
Australia continued to work their way forward as more chances fell to Sayer and substitute Holly McNamara and as the game entered the final 10 minutes, it felt as if the Matildas had a firm grip on proceedings.
But Slovenia refused to die wondering and had chances, with Korina Lara Janez heading over before Courtney Nevin had her pocket picked and Arnold was forced to come to the rescue.
And as the match entered injury time, Poje Mihelic's rolled shot evaded Arnold, bounced off the post and Kastelec pounced to trigger pandemonium among the Slovenians on the touchline.