And here’s a more fulsome summary of events from Mike Hytner who was at Leichhardt Oval to witness the Milicic Matildas get off on the right foot.
Having endured a horror period following the controversial dismissal of Alen Stajcic, few would begrudge those Matildas players who wanted attention to shift back onto actual football. And, finally, that is what was allowed to happen at Leichhardt Oval, where Ante Milicic’s first outing as coach resulted in a comfortable 2-0 win over New Zealand.
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Summary
The new era for the Matildas began brightly at Leichhardt Oval with Ante Milicic celebrating a comfortable two goal victory over New Zealand. It was far from a fluid performance with players clearly adapting to new instructions but there was plenty to build on at the start of a World Cup year.
Thank you very much for your company, we’ll be back to do this all again on Sunday when a much sterner test awaits in the form of South Korea.
Australia 2-0 New Zealand
Job done for Australia and Ante Milicic.
90 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time to play.
88 mins: Chidiac enjoys a decent couple of phases of play but her shot’s charged down after engineering a yard of space.
86 mins: Into the closing minutes now and New Zealand are not giving up hope of snatching a consolation.
Heck of a sub for NZ...
82' SUBSTITUTION | Emma Kete makes her first appearance for the #FootballFerns in seven years by replacing Annalie Longo #AUSvNZL 2-0 #CupOfNations
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) February 28, 2019
Emma Kete on for her first game of top-tier football in 3 years and 35 days. #CupOfNations #AUSvNZL
— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) February 28, 2019
83 mins: Good save from Williams, diving low to her right to deny Satchell after a quick counter. From the resulting corner New Zealand look to have a couple of half-chances but there’s a lack of composure in the box and Australia emerge unscathed.
82 mins: Great technique from Polias to volley towards goal a corner that had been headed clear but New Zealand have enough bodies behind the ball to repel the chance.
80 mins: Raso to the fore again, swinging in a dangerous cross from the right that lands on the head of De Vanna but her effort lacks conviction.
78 mins: Another Australian sub, this time Chidiac on for Butt.
77 mins: Delight on the Matildas bench for that Raso goal for a player who fractured three vertebrae just six months ago.
GOAL! Australia 2-0 New Zealand (Raso 75)
What an impact Hayley Raso has made! Superb play in midfield to begin with by Harrison, robbing New Zealand around halfway, taking her time to pick the pass, then feeding Raso who accepted possession at speed, stepped onto her right foot to unsettle Riley then hammering a low shot beyond Nayler. Exhilarating stuff from the substitutes.
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73 mins: Raso is lightning! Her first touch is almost to nick it out of Nayler’s gloves and her second is nearly picking the pocket of Erceg after conceding a ten metre head start.
71 mins: Another Australian sub, this time Raso - ribbon and all - for Gielnik.
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69 mins: New Zealand have pushed higher since the raft of changes, perhaps more assured of the space behind their defence with the withdrawal of Kerr. Australia are struggling for fluidity with their remodelled XI.
67 mins: Australia hit the bar for a second time! Butt lobbing the ball back into the danger zone after the deep free-kick is initially cleared, getting enough purchase on it to clip the woodwork. Gielnik’s resulting header is comfortably saved.
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65 mins: First booking of the night goes to Rebekah Stott who was forced into obstructing De Vanna as she threatened to break free in the inside-left channel.
First change for New Zealand with Satchell replacing Gregorius.
63 mins: Stacks of subs: Alleway, De Vanna, Harrison and Polias all come on. Kerr, Kellond-Knight, Kennedy and Van Egmond all make way.
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61 mins: There we go, that’s the offside trap broken with a routine curved run by Gregorius but she can’t find the finish to lob the advancing Williams. Should have been the equaliser for New Zealand.
59 mins: New Zealand have found a second wind and the game has become a little scrappy all of a sudden, right in the shadow of substitute o’clock.
56 mins: That Australian offside trap I suggested was ropey-looking in the first-half has been executed to perfection in the second half. It looks far from Arsenal ‘89 standard but it’s done the job all the same, although I doubt it will be causing any opposing World Cup coaches any sleepless nights.
54 mins: The latest example of that poor decision making is Van Egmond larruping a first-time volley high and wide from 25 yards. The Matildas are lacking a little guile at the moment.
52 mins: For all Australia’s domination there remains no shortage of errors and poor decision making, especially in the final third. A little more composure and surety and the Matildas could be three or four ahead.
ATTENDANCE | Thank you to the 6,805 fans for coming out to see us here in Leichhardt! #GoMatildas #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/B2A9JHrHgq
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 28, 2019
51 mins: Australia have had the bit between their teeth since half-time, playing with more pace and intent than the first half. New Zealand are struggling to keep up, currently outplayed and outmuscled all over the pitch.
48 mins: Another chance for Australia and Kerr misses a golden opportunity. New Zealand have been second to everything since the break and Australia’s persistence smuggles the ball into the box where Van Egmond keeps the move alive before Kerr arrives on the burst to sidefoot wide from ten yards.
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46 mins: An early second-half chance for Australia. Carpenter does well down the right, digs out a cross that reaches Foord on the penalty spot but her shooting opportunity arrives with her off balance and the ball flies over the bar.
Second-half underway
No substitutions to report.
Clare Lawrence is on the scene at Leichhardt Oval and she’s emailed in some astute analysis. “Currently at the game and there are some serious nerves in the crowd. As a long time supporter of the team, unfortunately they are looking unsettled tonight and are making uncharacteristic errors. The positive is that it’s clear that Ante wants a free flowing, sideline to sideline game and hopefully once the girls relax it will come to pass”.
Half-time: Australia 1-0 New Zealand
Australia deservedly ahead at the break but not the most fluent of halves on Ante Milicic’s debut.
GOAL! Australia 1-0 New Zealand (Gielnik 44)
With the game almost at a standstill a long crossfield pass out to the left fashions the opening goal. Catley received possession on the touchline and whipped in a dangerous cross that flicked off a contest at the near post that took Nayler out of the game, Gielnik accepted the ball just inside the box, stepped onto her left foot and drilled a low shot that squirmed through a few despairing challenges and into the net.
The moment Emily Gielnik made it @TheMatildas 1-0! #GoMatildas #AUSvNZL #CupOfNations
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 28, 2019
📺: LIVE on Fox Sports 505 and SBS VICELAND pic.twitter.com/CSUkdF5t0P
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41 mins: The pace has dipped a touch approaching half-time.
39 mins: Van Egmond has to score but doesn’t. Catley and Foord to superbly down the left and the latter’s cutback puts the chance on a plate for EVE but her sidefoot from ten yards skews wide of the post. Bad miss.
37 mins: Another poor turnover has Gregorius sensing an opportunity but her shot from just outside the box lacks the power to test Williams. Issues for Australia to address in the linkage between defence and midfield.
34 mins: Interesting first-half so far for Milicic. The strategy is clear and when his dangerous players find the ball you can see how it works, the Matildas just need to make that happen more often. They also need to be careful about the volume of turnovers in their defensive half. Better opponents will punish these mistakes.
31 mins: Australia should be ahead. Superb work in midfield by Foord engineers time and space in the final third and she feeds Kerr off the shoulder of the last defender but Nayler wins the 1-on-1. New Zealand struggle to clear their lines though and a succession of half-chances follow, including one ball into the box by Carpenter which strikes the arm of a Football Ferns defender and ricochets away without the Japanese referee pointing to the spot. In the A-League you’d see shouts like that overturned by VAR more often than not. Clearly hit the defender’s trailing arm albeit without her hanging it out intentionally.
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29 mins: There’s instinct! Sam Kerr leaping, jagging her neck, and planting a firm header low to Nayler’s right from just insight the box following an excellent cross from Carpenter. Nayler does well do repel the shot and keep Australia at bay.
27 mins: Milicic continues to bellow like Brian Blessed in Flash Gordon but Australia continue to just look a little too methodical and not instinctive enough.
carn @TheMatildas pic.twitter.com/MDL4PHyvPS
— Matt Coleman (@_MattColeman) February 28, 2019
24 mins: Kerr may have been quiet but some neat footwork on the edge of the box earned a free-kick in A1 position for a left-footed shot at goal. Kellond-Knight steps up to take it and SHE HITS THE CROSSBAR flush with a beautiful set-piece. The closest either side have come to a goal so far.
23 mins: Part of the challenge is getting Australia’s flair players on the ball, Gielnik, for example, has looked lively whenever she’s seen possession and again she threatens before the ball lands in the arms of Nayler.
22 mins: Unsurprisingly there’s a sense the Matildas are playing a half-step behind themselves at the moment because they’re having to think their way through the new patterns brought by their new coach. There’s a clear structure and method but not yet the fluidity and instinctive movement.
20 mins: Sam Kerr has been quiet so far, well marshalled by the experienced pair of Rebekah Stott and Abby Erceg.
18 mins: First bit of individual brilliance for the night comes from Emily Gielnik. A turn of pace and a dropped shoulder sees the Melbourne Victory star cut in from the left and drive to the byline, but her cross-cum-shot is saved well by Erin Nayler.
17 mins: Meanwhile New Zealand continue to loiter with intent in midfield, looking to spring a ropey-looking Australian offside trap.
15 mins: The attacking pattern now seems to be set and it involves working one fullback into space, inviting them to carry it forward before looking inside to a loose player - often van Egmond - then releasing the fullback on the opposite flank. Carpenter and Catley have done their work well up to the final third but there remains a lack of penetration around the box.
13 mins: If any Matildas player didn’t recognise the sound of Ante Milicic’s voice before tonight, they’ll have no excuses by the end of it. He is bellowing instructions relentlessly from his technical area.
11 mins: New Zealand look at their best pressing high and they’ve almost caught Australia napping on a couple of occasions, forcing turnovers in dangerous positions without being able to find the killer pass. The latest effort came from a misplaced Kerr pass but the Football Ferns were offside.
9 mins: More good play down the left sparks a couple of half-chances but first van Egmond is beaten in the air then Foord is unable to find a teammate after peeling off at the far post.
8 mins: Most of Australia’s play has originated down the right so far but a break down the left promised more before Catley’s delivery is charged down. Foord has the misfortune of being on Milicic’s side of the pitch, meaning she is on the receiving end of a host of instructions. These are mainly variations of “stay wide”.
5 mins: All Australia in these opening exchanges and Foord is again to the fore, finding space on the right but her cross is cut off. NZ can’t clear their lines though with a sea of gold jerseys hemming in the Football Ferns. Milicic is vocal on the touchline, urging his team to continue heading forward and maintaining width where possible.
3 mins: Caitlin Foord leads a brisk counterattack for the hosts following the free-kick conceded by Kennedy but after working their way to the byline the Matildas run out of steam. It’s another early example of how Milicic wants his side to play as quickly as possible in transition. Another one follows shortly afterwards but Gielnik can’t get past her defender and Australia settle for a corner.
2 mins: Australia are bossing the opening exchanges with the fullbacks both pressing high and Carpenter in particular invited to carry the ball forward. Against the run of play Alanna Kennedy is lucky to escape a booking for a cynical foul after losing possession in her own half.
Peeeeeeeeeppppppp!
The Ante Milicic era is underway!
Kick-off is imminent. This is the second match in the Cup of Nations, remember. South Korea thumped Argentina 5-0 in the opener a couple of hours ago.
The teams are out on the Leichhardt Oval turf for the anthems. New Zealand are dressed in all back (obvs), Australia in gold shirts and socks but the monochrome is interrupted by green shorts, much to the satisfaction of many a #kitnerd.
If that got you down, here’s David Squires to lift you back up again.
In case you’ve been enjoying an extended New Year’s holiday and you’re wondering what all the fuss over The Matildas has been about, Richard Parkin filed the only column you need.
That’s not to suggest this was a well-laid plan from Football Federation Australia – as the rancour from the past month has demonstrated, the shock sacking of Stajcic couldn’t have been handled worse by the governing body. Either a good man whose management was faultless has been forced out, or a man’s whose management style was no longer advancing the group was let go and the warning signs were repeatedly ignored, kept hidden or hushed up over preceding years. Neither scenarios show FFA management in a good light.
Tonight’s match takes place at Leichhardt Oval after a late (and correct) decision to shift it from the original scheduled venue of Kogarah Oval. Here at The Guardian we’re quite fond of the atmospheric inner-Sydney arena.
Beautiful evening on the hill to watch @TheMatildas take on NZ @LeichhardtOval pic.twitter.com/dsN8DBoZJ6
— Chris Tofer (@ChrisMTofer) February 28, 2019
The highest profile early decision taken by Milicic is the announcement of Sam Kerr as captain.
“We’ve just been focused and looking forward to training,” Kerr said. “It will be nice to get back on the field and talk about the football again. The girls are just ready to play. I’m just going to lead by my actions. I’m not going to start making speeches when I haven’t made speeches before.”
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Ante Milicic has been quick to stamp his imprimatur on the Matildas.
Key defender Alanna Kennedy said the fresh eyes of a new coach meant going the extra mile to prove your worth. “[Training has] been really tough but a really positive environment,” she said.
“Every session needs to be tough. We’re elite athletes. Of course we’re looking to get the most out of us and push ourselves to our limits. There’s no point staying in your comfort zone because that’s not going to get us to where we want to be. We’re all here to fight for a spot at the World Cup.”
Australia XI
STARTING XI | Here's how @TheMatildas line up against New Zealand tonight. #AUSvNZL #CupOfNations pic.twitter.com/sTqdAgkiRd
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 28, 2019
New Zealand XI
TEAM | Here is the starting XI for the #FootballFerns in their opening game of the #CupofNations tonight v @TheMatildas in Sydney #ForTheFern. Get behind the team. Live on @skysportnz from 9.30pm NZT pic.twitter.com/jdr0scgK8r
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) February 28, 2019
Here’s Richard Parkin’s match preview, necessarily packed with context after the acrimony of the year so far.
In the context of what has recently transpired within the Australian game, this Cup of Nations tournament could not be more welcome – or more important.
Please keep me company tonight, either on Twitter @JPHowcroft or by email: jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.
Preamble
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Australia vs New Zealand in the second match of the Cup of Nations. Kick-off at Leichhardt Oval is 7.30pm.
Plenty has happened since we were last here, back in November, for the romp past Chile. A governance overhaul at Football Federation Australia soon accounted for incumbent coach Alen Stajcic and the nature of his departure put women’s football in the headlines for all the wrong reasons for an extended period of time. That mess has yet to dissipate entirely but the appointment of new coach Ante Milicic and the business of playing football matches has diverted attention for the time being.
As a consequence of the recent drama the spotlight will shine brightly on Milicic and his side tonight. If that wasn’t pressure enough this Cup of Nations is the cornerstone of Australia’s World Cup preparations. Between this event and the June World Cup opener against Italy there’s just the one scheduled friendly, against the US in April, so much rides on the next three performances.
Milicic has been quick to assert himself, making it plain this is now his regime and behaviour should change accordingly. He’s immediately appointed star forward Sam Kerr as captain, reinforcing her status as the face of women’s football in Australia.
After everything that’s gone on in recent weeks there will be immense relief at seeing one of Australia’s most cherished sides back in action. Stay tuned to find out how they fare.
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