McNamara ends goal drought to help save sloppy Matildas
Holly McNamara has scored her first international goal but new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro was left with plenty to ponder after his side scratched out an unconvincing 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth.
Emily Gielnik's third-minute strike in Thursday night's match at HBF Park got the 15th-ranked Matildas off to a flyer, but it wasn't until McNamara scored in the 86th minute that the win was safe.
Hayley Raso added the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when she waltzed through the midfield untouched before unleashing a strike from outside the box.
Although the 3-0 scoreline looked good on paper, the performance was far from slick in front of a crowd of just 8678.
The under-strength Matildas were error-prone throughout the night, especially in defence where they attempted to play their way out of trouble at every chance.
Montemurro's possession-based game plan was always going to have teething problems, but the sheer amount of errors will be a huge concern.
Things started brightly when Gielnik stayed persistent in a goalmouth scrap to score the opener.
But the Matildas' determination to retain possession at all costs led to numerous sloppy turnovers, many of which should have been punished.
Time and again, the Matildas opted to go backwards instead of finding the gaps further ahead - leading to problems whenever Slovenia were able to pick off the pass.
One such turnover let Spela Kolbl off the leash in the 15th minute, with her floating cross glancing off the crossbar.
The Matildas' best opportunities in the first half generally came when defender Ellie Carpenter found some space to charge forward, with her pace and physicality proving hard to stop.
The Matildas' worst defensive error of the night arrived in the 52nd minute when Clare Hunt was unaware an opponent was bearing down on her as she attempted a short pass.
She got stripped of the ball but was left breathing a huge sigh of relief when Slovenia striker Zara Kramzar fired straight at Matildas keeper Teagan Micah from close range.
It was Alanna Kennedy's turn to commit a horror mistake 10 minutes later when her clumsy attempt to control the bouncing ball while running back to defend resulted in a costly deflection.
Slovenian substitute Nina Kajzba pounced on the mistake, with her strike forcing Micah to make a fine diving save.
McNamara, who has endured three knee reconstructions during her career, was a threat throughout the match.
The 22-year-old, playing her 10th international, finally received her reward when she put away a header at the far post following a sublime cross from Raso.
McNamara's teammates mobbed her as she celebrated her first Matildas goal.
A minute later, Raso went on a run and curled in a precision strike from the edge of the box.
The Matildas went into the international window missing a host of their best players.
Sam Kerr (knee), Mary Fowler (knee) and Tameka Yallop (leg) were all out through injury, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave.
The Matildas were dealt another blow just days out from Thursday's match when Clare Wheeler left the camp for personal reasons.
Australia face Slovenia again in Perth on Sunday, before taking on Panama in Bunbury on July 5 and in Perth on July 8.
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The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Be bold and brave: Montemurro gives Matildas wings
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is urging his players to be braver with the ball when they attempt to make it two wins on the trot against Slovenia in Perth on Sunday. The Matildas beat Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park on Thursday night, but it took goals in the dying minutes to Holly McNamara and Hayley Raso to secure the unconvincing win. Montemurro has come into the role wanting to implement a possession-based, fluid game plan. The possession aspect was definitely there on Thursday night, but the fluidity was lacking at times as Matildas players attempted to retain the ball at all costs. That led to timid back passes when line breaks were there to be taken, and also some horror defensive errors as players second-guessed themselves at times. Slovenia racked up a whopping 20 shots for the match, and it was only the heroic goalkeeping of Teagan Micah that ensured the visitors didn't score a goal. Montemurro was happy with many aspects his team displayed in game one of his tenure, but he doesn't want them to retain possession just for the sake of it. "It was a perfect game to learn and a perfect game to grow off," Montemurro said on Saturday. "The key message was protecting the ball and just making sure we prepare with the ball a lot better. "We can do it, we showed it. We just need to be more consistent and I suppose more brave with it. "The more we do it, the more we understand the important pass or the important situation with breaking a line. I"m sure they'll be more proactive. "When you say you want to play possession - and it's a word that's bantered a lot - it's normal they do the safe things to keep possession. "Now we have to be smarter to say, 'OK, we can prepare to go forward and be more proactive and break lines'." After taking on Slovenia on Sunday, the Matildas will face Panama across two matches - one in Perth, and one in the WA regional coastal town of Bunbury. The block of games is an important stepping stone towards next year's home Asian Cup, which kicks off on March 1. Montemurro is without Sam Kerr (ACL), Mary Fowler (ACL) and Tameka Yallop (leg) due to injury for the current block of games, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave. New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is urging his players to be braver with the ball when they attempt to make it two wins on the trot against Slovenia in Perth on Sunday. The Matildas beat Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park on Thursday night, but it took goals in the dying minutes to Holly McNamara and Hayley Raso to secure the unconvincing win. Montemurro has come into the role wanting to implement a possession-based, fluid game plan. The possession aspect was definitely there on Thursday night, but the fluidity was lacking at times as Matildas players attempted to retain the ball at all costs. That led to timid back passes when line breaks were there to be taken, and also some horror defensive errors as players second-guessed themselves at times. Slovenia racked up a whopping 20 shots for the match, and it was only the heroic goalkeeping of Teagan Micah that ensured the visitors didn't score a goal. Montemurro was happy with many aspects his team displayed in game one of his tenure, but he doesn't want them to retain possession just for the sake of it. "It was a perfect game to learn and a perfect game to grow off," Montemurro said on Saturday. "The key message was protecting the ball and just making sure we prepare with the ball a lot better. "We can do it, we showed it. We just need to be more consistent and I suppose more brave with it. "The more we do it, the more we understand the important pass or the important situation with breaking a line. I"m sure they'll be more proactive. "When you say you want to play possession - and it's a word that's bantered a lot - it's normal they do the safe things to keep possession. "Now we have to be smarter to say, 'OK, we can prepare to go forward and be more proactive and break lines'." After taking on Slovenia on Sunday, the Matildas will face Panama across two matches - one in Perth, and one in the WA regional coastal town of Bunbury. The block of games is an important stepping stone towards next year's home Asian Cup, which kicks off on March 1. Montemurro is without Sam Kerr (ACL), Mary Fowler (ACL) and Tameka Yallop (leg) due to injury for the current block of games, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave. New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is urging his players to be braver with the ball when they attempt to make it two wins on the trot against Slovenia in Perth on Sunday. The Matildas beat Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park on Thursday night, but it took goals in the dying minutes to Holly McNamara and Hayley Raso to secure the unconvincing win. Montemurro has come into the role wanting to implement a possession-based, fluid game plan. The possession aspect was definitely there on Thursday night, but the fluidity was lacking at times as Matildas players attempted to retain the ball at all costs. That led to timid back passes when line breaks were there to be taken, and also some horror defensive errors as players second-guessed themselves at times. Slovenia racked up a whopping 20 shots for the match, and it was only the heroic goalkeeping of Teagan Micah that ensured the visitors didn't score a goal. Montemurro was happy with many aspects his team displayed in game one of his tenure, but he doesn't want them to retain possession just for the sake of it. "It was a perfect game to learn and a perfect game to grow off," Montemurro said on Saturday. "The key message was protecting the ball and just making sure we prepare with the ball a lot better. "We can do it, we showed it. We just need to be more consistent and I suppose more brave with it. "The more we do it, the more we understand the important pass or the important situation with breaking a line. I"m sure they'll be more proactive. "When you say you want to play possession - and it's a word that's bantered a lot - it's normal they do the safe things to keep possession. "Now we have to be smarter to say, 'OK, we can prepare to go forward and be more proactive and break lines'." After taking on Slovenia on Sunday, the Matildas will face Panama across two matches - one in Perth, and one in the WA regional coastal town of Bunbury. The block of games is an important stepping stone towards next year's home Asian Cup, which kicks off on March 1. Montemurro is without Sam Kerr (ACL), Mary Fowler (ACL) and Tameka Yallop (leg) due to injury for the current block of games, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave.
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Perth Now
Be bold and brave: Montemurro gives Matildas wings
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is urging his players to be braver with the ball when they attempt to make it two wins on the trot against Slovenia in Perth on Sunday. The Matildas beat Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park on Thursday night, but it took goals in the dying minutes to Holly McNamara and Hayley Raso to secure the unconvincing win. Montemurro has come into the role wanting to implement a possession-based, fluid game plan. The possession aspect was definitely there on Thursday night, but the fluidity was lacking at times as Matildas players attempted to retain the ball at all costs. That led to timid back passes when line breaks were there to be taken, and also some horror defensive errors as players second-guessed themselves at times. Slovenia racked up a whopping 20 shots for the match, and it was only the heroic goalkeeping of Teagan Micah that ensured the visitors didn't score a goal. Montemurro was happy with many aspects his team displayed in game one of his tenure, but he doesn't want them to retain possession just for the sake of it. "It was a perfect game to learn and a perfect game to grow off," Montemurro said on Saturday. "The key message was protecting the ball and just making sure we prepare with the ball a lot better. "We can do it, we showed it. We just need to be more consistent and I suppose more brave with it. "The more we do it, the more we understand the important pass or the important situation with breaking a line. I"m sure they'll be more proactive. "When you say you want to play possession - and it's a word that's bantered a lot - it's normal they do the safe things to keep possession. "Now we have to be smarter to say, 'OK, we can prepare to go forward and be more proactive and break lines'." After taking on Slovenia on Sunday, the Matildas will face Panama across two matches - one in Perth, and one in the WA regional coastal town of Bunbury. The block of games is an important stepping stone towards next year's home Asian Cup, which kicks off on March 1. Montemurro is without Sam Kerr (ACL), Mary Fowler (ACL) and Tameka Yallop (leg) due to injury for the current block of games, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Sam Kerr causes stir as Matildas play ‘perfect game'
Sam Kerr would have liked what she saw just as mush as new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro as the Tillies played a 'perfect game' in a 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth on Thursday. Montemurro took charge of the Matildas for the first time since being announced as coach on June 2. He had only three training sessions with the squad before Thursday night's friendly. Key players including Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler are missing due to ACL injuries. Clare Wheeler, Cortnee Vine, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry are all absent on personal leave. Kerr caused quite a stir on the sideline at HBF Park on Thursday night as she made a rare on-field appearance with her Aussie teammates. Montemurro said earlier this week injured Kerr has brought 'fantastic' energy to this week's training camp, with the new boss spending as much time in recent days 'meeting players' in his squad. Kerr's return after more than 18 months on the sidelines with a knee injury will be one of Montemurro's biggest challenges heading into the AFC Women's Asian Cup, which is being held on home soil, beginning March 1, 2026. If the sight of fans flocking to see Kerr in Perth on Thursday, he will be under plenty of pressure to get the Chelsea forward back into the starting side when she is available for selection. Kerr was given permission by her English club to continue her rehabilitation in Australia. There remains no set return playing date for Kerr, who Montemurro said was a welcome addition to the group, assembled in her home state, as she continued to build her 'physical capacity'. 'It's fundamentally a situation where she's now building her physical capacity, and we'll monitor that through,' Montemurro said on Wednesday. 'The important thing is, we're working with Chelsea to make sure she's right for pre-season and she gets some games under her belt. 'It is an individual sort of process, but it's great to have her around the group, and her energy is fantastic.' Vice-captain Ellie Carpenter, returning to national duties after personal leave, during which time she was married, said having Kerr around, even keeping a low profile, was a boost, given she had been absent from the field for so long. 'She's a massive player, also a massive character for the team,' Carpenter said. 'She's been absent from the team for a while, so it's nice to have her training individually, and hopefully, soon she can be back with us.' Thursday night's win suggested the Matildas will be fine without her. Montemurro said the win over Slovenia was exactly what the team needed. 'We have to put ourselves in positions, especially against the team that played player on player, to be comfortable receiving the ball under pressure,' he said. 'And we made, I think, three or four big errors in that. 'But I'm not concerned, because it's the process going forward. 'For me, it was the perfect game. It was the perfect game; a team that's pressured all over the pitch, and we have to be comfortable under that pressure. 'We have to learn to be that. 'So, for me it was an important exercise tonight.' The Matildas had the first goal scored after just three minutes. None of the Slovenian players had registered a pass at that time. Australia then had to wait 83 minutes for the next goal though, which was quickly followed by a third. Substitute Hayley Raso was among the action for the last two goals, passing one to Holly McNamara for her first international goal. She kicked the last one herself. The two sides meet again in the second and final friendly at Perth's HBF Park on Sunday.
