Two goals to seal two wins as Tillies beat Kiwis again

AUSTRALIA 2-0 NEW ZEALAND

By Emma Burke (2/12/25)

Above: Alanna Kennedy (facing) and Sam Kerr celebrate after the former scored the opening goal tonight against New Zealand. Photo: Football Australia

The Matildas have defeated New Zealand 2-0 in Adelaide to wrap up their year, thanks to goals from Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso. The side has now played their last game for 2025 and their last game before the 2026 Asian Cup.

Kennedy made her return to the starting line-up and to the scoresheet, playing an experimental role in defence, after having served her one-game suspension for receiving a red card against England.

Kennedy was not the only change made to the squad, as head coach Joe Montemurro named Sam Kerr to start for the first time at home in 763 days, as well as including Clare Wheeler, Kaitlyn Torpey, Clare Hunt, and Teagan Micah.

The Matildas’ second goal of the evening came late in the second half, when Raso pounced on a deflection from a Kiwi defender, giving her the time and space to put an impressive curling shot into the net, her second goal in as many games.

While Australia spent the majority of the game in control of the ball, maintaining 70% of possession, New Zealand still managed to find opportunities for scoring, requiring keeper Micah to make multiple saves throughout the course of the night.

One of the Ferns’ best chances came from their retiring captain Annalie Longo, who worked her way into the box before sending her defender reeling and getting off a shot.

The conclusion of this game leaves Australia with only 88 days left to prepare for their first international tournament under Montemurro, where the Matildas will open the event against the Philippines on the 1st of March.

Teams: AUSTRALIA (4-3-3): Micah, Hunt, Wheeler, Catley, Torpey, Foord, Van Egmond, Kennedy, Raso, Kerr, Carpenter. Substitutes: Arnold, Lincoln, Cooney-Cross, Gorry, Heatley, Heyman, Johnson, McNamara, Nevin, Rule, Sayer, Siemsen, Yallop

Scorers: Kennedy 19’, Raso 70’

NEW ZEALAND (4-3-3): Santos, Taylor, Bunge, Bott, Moore, Clegg, Rennie, Riley, Foster, Kitching, Wisnewski. Substitutes: Esson, Leat, Anton, Brown, Chance, Green, Hahn, Hassett, Jackson, Longo, Pijnenburg, Wall

Attendance: 15,097 at Coopers Stadium

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