KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, up to date scores and talking points from the Isuzu UTE A-League and the Matildas v Football Ferns on Friday night.
THE FRIDAY AGENDA
- Adelaide United 1-0 Macarthur FC (FULL TIME)
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide. Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
MATCH REPORT: Reds stop the rot as Ibusuki strikes in win over Bulls
- Matildas 2-1 New Zealand (FULL TIME)
QCB Stadium, Townsville. Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
MATCH REPORT: MATILDAS LEAVE IT LATE TO BEAT FOOTBALL FERNS
REACTION
A frantic finish breaks Kiwi hearts, sends Townsville crowd home delighted
Here were the moments that mattered in the Matildas’ incredible comeback win over New Zealand, in which they trailed by one goal to nil as late as the 94th minute before mounting a miraculous comeback.
90+6′: GOAL! Kerr wins it for the Matildas (2-1)
“Who else but Sam Kerr?” Exclaimed Network 10 co-commentator Grace Gill as Australia’s all-time record goalscorer found a winning goal for the green and gold with a desperate header from a late, late corner routine.
The Matildas were down 1-0 heading into the fourth and final minute of extra time before Emily van Egmond and Kerr inspired an enthralling comeback win.
90+4′: GOAL! Van Egmond equalises (1-1)
It’s 1-1 deep into second-half stoppage time thanks to van Egmond’s first-time strike in the centre of the box after a cut-back cross from Ellie Carpenter. The Matildas grab the ball out of the net as they go in search of a late winner.
30′: GOAL! Green puts New Zealand ahead with phenomenal strike (0-1)
Anna Green, take a bow! That was phenomenal from the New Zealand international – whether it was intentional is up for debate – but from a crossing area on the left wing, Green’s first-time strike curled off the outside of her boot into the top-right corner of goal.
How the A-Leagues ‘provided the platform’ for Gorry to boss the international stage ‘at first time of asking’
“Is it in dispute that (Katrina Gorry) was the best player on the field tonight?” Asked Andy Harper to his fellow panelists on Network 10’s post-game show following the Matildas’ 2-1 win over New Zealand.
He was met with no objection.
The central midfielder known as ‘Mini’ returned to the international camp for the first time since 2020 after the birth of her daughter Harper in August, 2021.
She occupied the deepest-lying role in midfield from the start for Tony Gustavsson’s side against New Zealand in Townsville on Friday night – a position screaming out for a member of the Matildas squad to claim as their own.
Gorry had 120 touches, played 95 passes at 83.2% accuracy, created three chances, and fired five shots on goal throughout a classy 90-minute display.
Through it all, it appeared as though Gorry hadn’t missed a beat.
“Lucky for me I got to start with the Brisbane Roar,” Gorry told Network 10 post-match, when asked how she managed to slip into the rhythm of international football with relative ease.
“I just kept on building with each game. I knew national team camps were coming up so I just did whatever I could to put my hand up for the team.
“(I’m now) moving to (Swedish side Vittsjö GIK) in the next couple of weeks keep on building for that.”
Andy Harper led the chorus of praise for Gorry in the Network 10 studio, and the level of quality in the Liberty A-League, and the tenacity in which each game is competed, which allowed one of Australia’s most talented midfielders to get back to her best.
“I’m going to say this once more just for the sake of effect: the (A-League Women’s) contributed to this big time, massively,” Harper said.
“Congratulations to everyone, all the girls right cross the competition, to provide the robustness to get one of their own to the best player in the national team at first time of asking. Is that in dispute that she was the best player on the field tonight?”
Fellow Network 10 football analyst Grace Gill replied: “I agree with your statement there Harps in terms of the A-League Women’s providing that platform for women to play at a point where they can step up, prove themselves at a national level, and then put their hand up for the Matildas and say: ‘I’m ready’.
“Katrina Gorry is a prime example of that, and her baby daughter Harper is perhaps a future Matilda to come.”
‘It’s a bit of a rude question’: Green adamant superb strike against Matildas was intentional
It was a finish Roberto Carlos would have been proud of; on the left, bouncing ball, angle closing on the left wing – New Zealand international Anna Green decided to unleash a first-time effort on goal off the outside of her foot.
The ball proceeded to swerve into the top-right corner of goal – and the goal was seen around the world.
Speaking to Network 10 post-match, the former Sydney FC and Adelaide United defender was quick to shut down any notion that her strike was unintentional.
“I’ll give you this one, because it’s a bit of a rude question!” Green told the Network 10 pitch-side reporter after being quizzed on her intention to shoot or cross.
“I know I’ve got that in my locker, and now the Matildas do too, so I’ll be taking that one for sure.”
FULL-TIME: MATILDAS 2-1 FOOTBALL FERNS
90+6′: GOAL! Kerr wins it for the Matildas (2-1)
“Who else but Sam Kerr?” Exclaimed Network 10 co-commentator Grace Gill as Australia’s all-time record goalscorer found a winning goal for the green and gold with a desperate header from a late, late corner routine.
The Matildas were down 1-0 heading into the fourth and final minute of extra time before Emily van Egmond and Kerr inspired an enthralling comeback win.
90+4′: GOAL! Van Egmond at the death (1-1)
It’s 1-1 deep into second-half stoppage time thanks to van Egmond’s first-time strike in the centre of the box after a cut-back cross from Ellie Carpenter. The Matildas grab the ball out of the net as they go in search of a late winner.
83′: Bunge off her own bar (0-1)
That was close for Bunge, whose interception from a cross of the right flank rattled the woodwork of her own goal on its way out for a corner.
69′: CHANCE! Somehow Kerr fails to score (0-1)
Desperate defending from New Zealand defender Claudia Bunge has denied Sam Kerr the equaliser for the hosts, with both Kerr and Raso scrambling in the box to turn the ball over the line.
61′: CHANCES! (0-1)
Caitlin Foord hit the crossbar and Fowler’s venomous strike fizzed over the crossbar as Australia turn the screws in Townsville.
55′: CHANCE! Fowler tests Esson (0-1)
Fowler’s strong, low strike off her left foot from the outside of the box put Esson to the test in goal for New Zealand – but the shot was hit straight down the centre of the target, making it a relatively straightforward save.
46′: SECOND HALF (0-1)
The Matildas have it all to do in the second half in Townsville.
HALF-TIME: AUSTRALIA 0-1 NEW ZEALAND
The Matildas dominated the first half in Townsville but Green’s stunner sends the Football Ferns into the sheds on top.
30′: GOAL! Green hits the top corner with phenomenal strike (0-1)
Anna Green, take a bow! That was phenomenal from the New Zealand international – whether it was intentional is up for debate – but from a crossing area on the left wing, Green’s first-time strike curled off the outside of her boot into the top-right corner of goal.
The simply stunning strike puts New Zealand ahead!
18′: SAVE! Esson again to deny Kennedy (0-0)
Another magnificent delivery from Fowler set Alanna Kennedy free in the box, who got a slight touch on the ball floated toward goal. Esson showed quick thinking to get her left foot on the ball to send it clear.
16′: Knee injury to Percival calls for the stretcher (0-0)
That looks a serious injury for Tottenham Hotspur’s Ria Percival, who goes down under no challenge clutching her left knee attempting to track the elusive Fowler in midfield.
The stretcher was brought onto the pitch, but Percival got to her feet and made her way to the sideline with the support of two teammates supporting her weight.
10′: SAVE! Polkinghorne denied by magnificent Esson save (0-0)
Steph Catley’s cross into the box was a perfect one for Clare Polkinghorne to attack, and her header from the near post looked certain to hit the back of the net – until Esson produced a masterful save to push the ball around the post.
4′: CHANCE! Fowler to van Egmond creates Raso chance (0-0)
A perfect lofted ball from deep in midfield from Mary Fowler found Emily van Egmond driving toward goal, who set Hayley Raso free inside the box to finish.
But Raso’s effort was struck directly into New Zealand keeper Victoria Esson.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
The Matildas and Football Ferns get proceedings udnerway in Townsville!
TEAM NEWS
FULL-TIME: ADELAIDE UNITED 1-0 MACARTHUR FC
Ibusuki’s header on the cusp of half-time is the difference at the final whistle as Adelaide take all three points at Coopers Stadium.
72′: SAVE! Kurto to the rescue (1-0)
A strong header from Reds substitute Nathan Konstandopoulos was destined for the top-right corner before Macarthur keeper Kurto put a strong left hand to the ball to stop it from hitting the back of the net.
46′: SECOND HALF (1-0)
Macarthur come out chasing the game in the second half at Coopers Stadium.
HALF-TIME: ADELAIDE 1-0 MACARTHUR
Ibusuki’s header is the difference between the two sides at the break after a first half dominated early by the Bulls before momentum turned in favour of Adelaide for the final 20 minutes.
45+2′: GOAL! Ibusuki strikes on the cusp of half-time (1-0)
Hiroshi Ibusuki goes bang to put Adelaide ahead with the final touch of the first half, rising high to nod Craig Goodwin’s cross off the left flank into the back of the net.
28′: CHANCE! Goodwin denied from narrow angle (0-0)
The home side won their first corner for the evening after Craig Goodwin’s left-footed strike from a tight angle, with Filip Kurto making himself big to repel the danger.
10′ Bulls chances flowing early doors (0-0)
Macarthur are on the front foot early, with Jake McGing wasting a magnificent Craig Noone cross with his wide header at the back post before Apostolos Giannou’s penalty claim from a Joe Gauci challenge in the box was thwarted by the offside flag.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We’re underway at Coopers Stadium!
