Football: The Matildas struck first against cross ocean rivals New Zealand, with two familiar faces linking up to produce a thumping strike.
Sam Kerr starred for 45 minutes in a 2-0 Matildas win over New Zealand at Coopers Stadium on Tuesday night. Kerr’s excellent first-half performance has moved Australia considerable steps closer to being among the favourites for the 2026 AFC women’s Asian Cup title – if the super striker can continue to recover from an injury which stalled her career for more than a year.
With next year’s Asian Cup on home soil, seeing Kerr fit and firing could be the boost the Matildas need — on the field and in the stands as the national team played its final clash before the tournament in 2026.Alanna Kennedy’s rocket in the 19th minute of the clash was enough to separate the sides at the break, but most eyes were on Kerr’s progress since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in January 2024.At the same time, Kerr has added more quality, street smarts and better timing to her game.Hayley Raso made it 2-0 with a super sweet, angled volley from 10m after a brilliant Steph Catley corner turned into a defensive nightmare for New Zealand in the 70th minute. ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 02: Alanna Kennedy of the Matildas celebrates after scoring her teams first goal with Sam Kerr of the Matildas during the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and New Zealand Football Ferns at Coopers Stadium on December 02, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. “I’m definitely feeling good and I love playing for Australia,‘’ Raso told Paramount Plus.In a fitting finale, New Zealand’s legendary Annalie Longo was given a standing ovation from the 15,097 partisan fans when she entered the fray and wore the captain’s armband in her last international appearance for the Football Ferns.Kerr starting her first Matildas game in Adelaide since playing for 69 minutes in a 3-0 loss to England away on October 28 was enough to remind everyone why she is irreplaceable. Since an anterior cruciate injury in January 2024, the world game and the Matildas have missed her pace, poise and ruthless attacking instinct. At Hindmarsh, Kerr, playing her first minutes on Australian soil since that brutal ACL blow, lifted the team and electrified the crowd, giving a glimpse of the impact she can have in a game.ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 02: Sam Kerr of the Matildas during the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and New Zealand Football Ferns at Coopers Stadium on December 02, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. In the 19th minute, Kerr’s quick thinking inside pass carved the opening goal for Kennedy. A simple throw-in from Ellie Carpenter led to the damage when Kerr became involved in the power play. Kerr released the hard-running Raso inside the box with a deft touch before a loose ball rolled out to Kennedy, who rifled the ball home from 12 metres.Matildas coach Joe Montemurro’s side hosts the Philippines in the opening round of the Asian Cup at Perth Stadium on March 1 after last claiming the coveted title in 2010. In just his eighth match in charge, it’s clear “Pepe” Montemurro is deliberately reshaping the Matildas’ identity. Montemurro made six changes to the side which belted the Football Ferns 5-0 in Gosford last Friday, but the song remained the same. His back line is anchored by the elegant Catley, 31, who has become the side’s calm, candid organiser. Rarely wasteful in possession and tactically astute, Catley of England’s Arsenal, is being used in a way that maximises her strengths — composure, clarity, and clean distribution.Montemurro has introduced a more assertive philosophy built on a structured high press, smarter occupation of space between the lines, and a refined blend of tempo and patience. The Matildas now look more cohesive in transition, more purposeful in build-up, and more willing to control games rather than to simply react to them. With these shifts taking shape, Australia is beginning to resemble a side capable of re-entering the global elite — potentially pushing back into the top four nations after the momentum generated by the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil.The Matildas avoided the worst possible punishment when players chose to be too cute and play their way out of defensive trouble when uncompromising leadership was needed seven minutes before the break. Too many Matildas touches near the byline, and a wayward pass into the middle of the pitch handed the Football Ferns the best chance of a first half dominated by the hosts. Matildas custodian Teagan Micah was forced into a brilliant save and kept a clean sheet when New Zealand’s Grace Wisnewski was allowed a close range shot on target.Australia New Zealand at Coopers Stadium – Referee: Hong Yu - Crowd: 15,097.
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