Australia 3-0 Slovenia
by Kelechi Osunwa at HBF Park for Impetus (26/6/25)
Above: Emily Gielnik looks to break through from Slovenia’s grip tonight in Perth. Photo: Rob Lizzi for Impetus.
The Joe Montemurro era as the Matildas’ Head Coach started the best way possible with a 3-0 win over Slovenia at HBF Park on Thursday night in Perth.
An early goal from Emily Gielnik set the tone for a frantic end-to-end match. There were chances galore for both teams, with Slovenia coming close to equalising on numerous occasions before the game was settled for the Matildas with two late goals by Holly McNamara and substitute Hayley Raso.
Montemurro will no doubt be happy to start his reign as head coach with a victory, and naturally will know that there will be plenty to work on as he has more time with his side.
The Matildas showcased the vertical fluidity and quick transitions Montemurro’s sides are known for early, when Amy Sayer broke into space. The wide forward’s dangerous cross was narrowly turned away from goal by the outstretched foot of Sara Agrež, and Australia took advantage of the set-piece opportunity and scored from the ensuing corner.
Emily van Egmond’s low-driven corner was directed toward goal by Clare Hunt, and the ensuing goalmouth scramble saw Emily Gielnik show great desire to bundle home.
Despite the early goal, the visitors were able to settle and disrupt the passing patterns of the Matildas on numerous occasions.
The most dangerous of which was when Špela Kolbl intercepted an errant pass in midfield and drove into the penalty area. The winger’s cross-come shot bounced off the crossbar and trickled away to safety.
Amy Sayer lifted the home faithful on their feet when she went on a powerful run from her box. The forward combined with Ninja A-League Golden Boot Winner, Holly McNamara, who found Sayer again at the top of the box, but her effort sailed over the bar.
The Matildas had another terrific opportunity to double the lead when McNamara combined with stand-in captain Ellie Carpenter. The two broke swiftly from a Slovenian corner, and after Carpenter danced past a defender and Zala Meršnik in goal, it looked certain that the full back would double the lead. But with the goal at her mercy, Carpenter looked to find Gielnik only for a backtracking Kara Eržen to toe away the danger.
Slovenia continued to look dangerous on the break, and when they caught Australia out of possession and created two chances that were foiled by Hunt.
The first saw her react quickly to deny Sara Agrež, and the second saw her keep her poise to block Zara Kramžar after the forward’s clever turn in the box.
The Matildas settled and would create their best opportunity in the first half when Alana Kennedy’s clever pass found Carpenter with plenty of space.
The flying fullback powered from penalty area to penalty area and held the focus of the Slovenia defence long enough to slip in Gielnick. The angle was narrow, and Meršnik proved equal to the winger’s low effort with a low instinctive save.
Slovenia started the second half as the better of the two sides and created two gilt-edged chances from their high press.
Clare Hunt was under immense pressure and made an errant pass straight to Zara Kramzar, who had the goal at her mercy with only Teagan Micah to beat. The forward opted for power and fired her effort toward Micah, who did well to say big and parry the chance to safety.
Slovenia continued to assert pressure, and moments later Lara Prašnikar curled wide from a promising position.
Cheeky quick throw caught Slovenia off guard as Sayer drove into the box, but her effort was easily dealt with by Meršnik.
Slovenia had another opportunity from a Matildas error when an errant touch from Alana Kennedy left substitute Nina Kajzba through on goal. The forward had just Miach to beat, but once again the custodian proved equal to the moment with a fine save to her left.
The game took a frantic turn with chances at both ends.
McNamara created a terrific opportunity when she chased her own flick on and sprinted past her marker, only to see Meršnik brush aside her dinked effort.
Slovenia once again failed to capitalise on winning the ball high in the Australian midfield. Prašnikar glided towards the penalty area and, after creating half a yard of space, curled an effort narrowly past the post.
The Matildas had two great opportunities through McNamara and Meršnik, but Slovenia’s cover defence was able to clear any danger.
Substitute Zala Kuštrin caused a collective gasp for the home faithful when the crafty forward created a half-yard of space and fired just wide of the top corner. But Slovenia would be forced to rue another missed opportunity as the Matildas put the game beyond doubt when they capitalised on a rare Slovenian mistake.
The Matildas found Raso from an errant pass, and the substitute’s pinpoint cross found McNamara at the back post for the striker to head home her maiden international goal.
Raso put the result beyond doubt when she capped off a trademark dribble with a composed curler from outside of the box to send the home crowd into raptures.
Slovenia would have one more shot in anger from Korina Lara Janež and Zala Kuštrin, but both efforts were matched by Micah, who saved well to deny Janež and Prior, who slid brilliantly to prevent Kuštrin from having a shot.
In the post-game press conference, Montemurro described it as a perfect game, and he will be looking for more of the same when the two sides face off against each other again on Sunday at the same venue.
Check out our Instagram page – @ImpetusFootball for more of Rob Lizzi’s exclusive images from HBF Park.
AUSTRALIA (4-2-3-1): Micah, Heatley, Hunt, van Egmond, Kennedy, Gielnik, Sayer, Carpenter, McNamara, Chidiac, Rankin. Substitutes: Arnold, Nevin, Prior, Torpey, Rason, Whyman, Grant, Cooney-Cross, Murphy, Heyman, Siemsen.
Scorers: Gielnik 3’, McNamara 86’, Raso 87’.
SLOVENIA (3-4-3 ): Meršnik, Golob, Agrež, Korošec, Čonč, Prašnikar, Kolbl, Makovec, Eržen, Kramžar, Sternad. Substitutes: Gradišek, Mihelič, Kajzba, Zver, Kastelec, Testen, Kuštrin, Križaj, Ketiš, Janež, Pasar.
Referee: Torika Delai (FIJ)
Attendance: 8,676.
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