Key events
Montemurro says he has set the standards very high, and tonight showed that even with that pressure they were able to do some good things, although still things to work out. He says New Zealand caught them off guard on the break which is something they need to work on, especially up against better teams as they will in the Asian Cup. Kerr should play on Tuesday, he says, but will just manage her minutes.
While she may not have Kerr’s experience or finishing finesse, Sayer looked fantastic tonight in her place. Everyone is itching to see Kerr back to full fitness but the more Sayer gets out their the faster she will stamp her name as a possible successor, which would only be a good thing for the Matildas.
Carpenter is up next. Le clean sheet is what she was hoping for and that’s what they got. She says the players are really proud of being able to play like that in front of a home crowd, especially with the Asian Cup just around the corner, also on home soil.
Raso is speaking to the broadcasters now. She says she is pretty happy with the goal off her left foot. “I saw the keeper was not in her goal, so I’ll have a crack here.”
She says having the fresh eyes of Montemurro has been really good for the team.
The stats reflect Australia’s dominance in the end: 15 shots on target to 2, 66% possession. Australia are gearing up to make a run for the Asian Cup title. New Zealand didn’t qualify so are at a totally different phase in their team development. The score line is brutal but they had some promising moments throughout the match.
Cooney-Cross, in her typical understated way, says she is very happy with her goal. Her goal which will probably get her nominated for the Marta award for the second time in a row …
Full-time: Australia 5-0 New Zealand
New Zealand almost net a consolation goal as Rennie makes a counterattack and catches Arnold off her line. Rennie’s shot from narrow angle doesn’t have enough power behind it and Carpenter can clear it. And that’s full time in Gosford!
90 + 4 mins: Catley shoots to the left and the goalkeeper saves it!
90 + 3 mins: We have a penalty. McNamara was brought down by the goalkeeper. Catley to the spot.
Goal! Australia 5-0 New Zealand (Gorry, 92′)
Gorry powers towards the edge of the area with the ball, passes it off to McNamara then receives it back and it almost just ricochets off her legs into the goal.
90 + 1 mins: The energy has dissipated a bit, the ball going end to end. Wheeler makes a break from the half-way line. New Zealand get back quickly.
88 mins: Heatley is getting checked after that corner. I think she may have clashed heads with the defender.
86 mins: Yallop breaks through the midfield and passes forward to McNamara. New Zealand’s Bunge trips McNamara as she takes off and Catley lines up the free kick. It’s a high ball in which finds Heatley’s head and pops high and wide.
84 mins: Carpenter hasn’t really slowed down I retract my earlier comment. She has a chance for a second goal after being set up nicely by Siemsen. The goalkeeper is able to block is an McNamara pounces on the rebound but it’s scooped up.
82 mins: And right on cue Foord is brought off and Siemsen in on. McNamara is over on the left now and coolly and calmy brings the ball the corner of the area before stepping side of her defender and firing off a shot. The goalkeeper bats it out for a corner.
80 mins: There’s possibly some fatigue creeping in for Foord and Carpenter who haven’t stopped running all night.
78 mins: New Zealand haven’t dropped the pressure despite the expanding goal difference. Carpenter is challenged and forced to send the ball back to start again for Autsralia.
