An own goal has helped the Matildas claim their first win of 2025, in a scintillating 1-0 display against the Korea Republic despite losing a trio of stars in the lead-up to the match.
Sidelined by injury less than 24 hours before kick-off, Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso and Mackenzie Arnold joined Sam Kerr (train-on player) on the bench as a young breed of Matildas players took control of the match.
Only featuring three members of the team that lined up in the semi-final of the 2023 Women's World Cup
Playing at home, the Matildas were able to control the majority of possession to begin the match through the midfield combination of Kyra Cooney-Cross and Winonah Heatley in the opening 20 minutes.
Despite multiple goal-scoring opportunities - the best being a Tameka Yallop strike from beyond the box - they failed to break the scoreline, and the tables would soon turn in favour of the Korea Republic.
Not to be outmaneuvered by their opponents, Korea also had their respective chances to open the scoreline but failed to break the hearts of the Matildas fans watching along at Allianz Stadium.
After back-to-back near-scoring opportunities - one being a shot across the goal from Caitlin Foord on the eve of half-time - the Matildas were finally able to gain the lead in the 54th minute, but in the weirdest of circumstances.
A great transition from the home side, led by forward Caitlin Foord, saw them pose as an attacking threat. With only three defenders to beat, the Arsenal striker found Emily van Egmond on the edge of the box.
Attempting to guide the ball back inside to Foord and the lingering Holly McNamara, the ball supplied by Van Egmond caught a Korea Republic deflection before breezing off the head of defender Lim Seon-joo into her own net.
With both managers deciding to make changes to their sides, Mary Fowler came centimetres away from doubling the lead after a great individual effort in the 78th minute.
Energetic and positive after being injected onto the field, Fowler's arrival saw her gift the Matildas with a second breath of life, especially when she got the ball at her feet.
As Australia celebrate the hard-earned victory before travelling to McDonald Jones Stadium on Monday evening to face Korea in the second and final match of the friendly series, the win wouldn't have been possible without goalkeeper Teagan Micah.
A late inclusion into the team following Arnold's absence, Micah produced some glorious saves from shots in and outside the penalty box, showing her worth as the Matildas' back-up goal-stopper.
