Adelaide, Australia – The Matildas faced New Zealand's Football Ferns in the second of two international friendlies today at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide. The match kicked off at 8:00 p.m. local time. This series serves as Australia's final preparation before the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, which also doubles as the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Coming off a dominant 5-0 victory against New Zealand in Gosford last Friday night, the Matildas looked to continue their momentum. In the previous match, Kyra Cooney-Cross scored a spectacular long-range goal, contributing to the win alongside goals from Ellie Carpenter, Amy Sayer and Katrina Gorry.
Matildas' coach Joe Montemurro had included A-League stars Holly McNamara, Michelle Heyman, Chloe Lincoln, and Tameka Yallop on the bench for the first friendly. McNamara assisted Gorry for Australia's fifth goal in that match.
The Matildas are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing loss to England last month. The team is gearing up for a run at the Asian Cup title. New Zealand, having not qualified for the Asian Cup, is in a different phase of team development.
It remains to be seen what lineup coach Montemurro will select for this second clash, with attention on superstar Sam Kerr, who was an unused substitute in Gosford.
