The Football Ferns have begun their inaugural Cup of Nations campaign with a defeat, going down 2-0 to Australia tonight at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.

The Tom Sermanni-coached team, who were looking to beat their trans-Tasman rivals for the first time since 1994, competed well and frustrated their highly-fancied rivals for long periods in front of nearly 7,000 parochial fans.

The Matildas had the better of the chances throughout but the Ferns will take confidence from the character they showed as they build towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup in June.

The sixth-ranked team in the world scored right before half-time, Emily Gielnik latching onto a partially-cleared ball and hammering home with New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler stranded. The Melbourne Victory forward made no mistake with her chance that was well set-up by a perfect cross from Steph Catley which caused problems for the Ferns defence.

                                  Betsy Hassett plays the ball forward for the Football Ferns (Photo: Robb Cox)

Australia could have opened the scoring earlier after 25 minutes when Elise Kellond-Knight's dipping free kick ricocheted off the cross bar.

The Kiwis battled valiantly in the opening 45 minutes and indeed for much of the match. The central defensive trio of Abby Erceg, Rebekah Stott and Meikayla Moore were resolute and showed the Ferns will not be easy to break down this year, while Nayler was heroic at times in goal. 

The Bordeaux custodian was playing in her 58^th ‘A’ international for New Zealand and made two telling saves midway through the first half which frustrated the hosts. On 29 minutes, Sam Kerr – wearing the captain’s armband for the first time for the Matildas – produced an outstanding header that was kept out superbly by Nayler with a one-handed save.

Five minutes later, Kerr went one-on-one with Nayler on the end of a fast break but again the Kiwi stopper was up to the challenge and denied Kerr her first goal as captain of the Matildas.

                                      Football Ferns captain Ali Riley assesses her options (Photo: Robb Cox)

New Zealand had fleeting chances at the other end with Sarah Gregorius fighting hard to get in behind and find space. She looked to be clear early on when Rosie White found her with a great through ball but she was judged offside.

The best chance of the opening period fell to Emily Van Egmond in the 40^th minute but the Matlidas midfielder was off target from close range with an open goal in front of her. But Australia weren’t made to pay as they took the lead soon after through Gielnik.

The hosts picked up where they left off after the break with Kerr coming close to scoring straight after half-time.

But the Football Ferns kept fighting and showed the spirit Sermanni would have been seeking. On the hour, New Zealand had their best opportunity to level the score when Gregorius was played in by a lovely through ball from Annalie Longo and lobbed goalkeeper Lydia Williams but her effort bounced agonisingly wide.

                          Abby Erceg put in a typically commanding performance on her return (Photo: Robb Cox)

The Ferns gave as good as they got in the closing stages but Australia were once again more clinical with their chances. Substitute Hayley Raso came into the game in the 63^rd minute and scored a classy individual goal just 12 minutes later. The Brisbane Roar winger found space in the box and hit a shot on the angle to beat Nayler in goal. It was a body blow for the Ferns as they were looking to press forward and find an equaliser.

Sermanni made three changes as the clocked ticked down and Paige Satchell nearly made an impact off the bench, drawing a smart save from Williams at her near post. But the Ferns couldn’t create another opportunity in the dying moments, which were most notable for the return to international action of Emma Kete, who came on for her first appearance in seven years.

The Football Ferns will now look to regroup and bounce back in their second match of the Cup of Nations against Argentina at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

                                    Football Ferns fullback Ria Percival has eyes only for the ball (Photo: Robb Cox) 

Match Details

Australia 2 (Emily Gilenik 44’, Hayley Raso 74’)
New Zealand 0
HT: 1-0

New Zealand: 1. Erin Nayler (GK), 2. Ria Percival, 5. Meikayla Moore, 6. Rebekah Stott, 7. Ali Riley (c), 8. Abby Erceg, 10. Annalie Longo (22. Emma Kete 82’), 11. Sarah Gregorius (19. Paige Satchell 66’), 12. Betsy Hassett, 13. Rosie White (4. CJ Bott 75’), 14. Katie Bowen
Caution: Rebekah Stott 65'
Substitutes not used: 9. Katie Rood, 15. Sarah Morton, 16. Katie Duncan, 17. Steph Skilton, 18. Aimee Phillips, 20. Daisy Cleverley, 21. Anna Leat (GK), 23. Victoria Esson (GK)
Coach: Tom Sermanni 

Article added: Thursday 28 February 2019