Matildas overcome Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park in Joe Montemurro's first match in charge
The Joe Montemurro Matildas era has begun in less than spectacular fashion, as the new coach's side survived a scare to beat Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park.
In front of 8678 fans, the Matildas took their tentative first steps under their new coach and their performance was one of a team learning a new identity.
Emily Gielnik's third minute goal proved to be a fitting opener with the winger — one of Australia's best on the night — turning home from a corner after the ball pinballed around the six-yard box.
But particularly in the second half, Slovenia were gifted multiple chances by the Matildas, but were unable to take advantage.
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Emily Gielnik of the Matildas celebrates her goal.
Credit: James Worsfold
/ Getty Images
A late quickfire double gave the scoreline a bit of polish as Holly McNamara nodded home substitute Hayley Raso's cross for her first international goal, and then Raso added a third a minute later.
It was not pretty at times and it certainly was not the free-flowing football Matildas fans would have liked, but Montemurro would have at least appreciated the intent to retain possession at his behest.
More worrying would have been defensive lapses which Slovenia failed to punish, which came either from Australian mistakes in possession or a failure to properly deal with attacking forays.
But Australia were able to keep a clean sheer and give their new coach's reign a winning start, even if the scoreline flattered them.
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Joe Montemurro, Head Coach of Australia looks on prior to the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and Slovenia at HBF Park on June 26, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by)
Credit: Paul Kane
/ Getty Images
Joe Montemurro's emphasis on possession-based football and playing out from the back was evident as early as the second minute, with Alanna Kennedy hitting McNamara's feet which led to Amy Sayer's tantalising ball being diverted wide by Sara Agrez.
And from the resultant corner, Slovenia's inability to clear their lines allowed Gielnik to stab home.
Australia's commitment to keeping the ball came at a cost at times, with Clare Hunt almost caught in possession inside her own box shortly after Gielnik's opener.
And most of Slovenia's best chances came when they either pressed high and forced turnovers or pounced on loose passes in the Matildas' own half; even though the hosts had 56 per cent of the ball in the opening 45, Slovenia had seven more final third entries.
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Ellie Carpenter of Australia is challenged by Zala Mersnik of Slovenia.
Credit: Paul Kane
/ Getty Images
Kaja Korosec shot wide in the 14th minute after Winonah Heatley lost possession and a minute later, Spela Kolbl's chip bounced down off the bar and out.
When Australia were able to break the press, or turned their patient probing into something more meaningful, they attacked with venom.
Gielnik's enterprising runs cause Slovenia problems, and her lovely pass to McNamara sent the Matildas forward, only for the former to spoon the ball over the bar from the edge of the box.
Ellie Carpenter was impressive down the right and should have made it 2-0 in the 24th minute when she raced onto McNamara's perfect pass on a break from a corner.
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Jamilla Rankin of the Matildas in action.
Credit: Janelle St Pierre
/ Getty Images
But having rounded the goalkeeper, Carpenter then unselfishly laid off to Gielnik rather than shooting into the gaping goal, and a corner eventuated.
Australia's looseness in possession continued after the break and almost cost them dearly, when Kennedy and Clare Hunt hesitated in clearing a long ball.
Under pressure, Hunt latter passed straight to an unmarked Zara Kramzar in the box only for the Slovenian to shoot directly at Teagan Micah.
Slovenia's promising second half continued when Lara Prasniker turned Kennedy just outside the area, but once again, Micah was equal to the task.
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Emily Gielnik of the Matildas celebrates her goal with Alanna Kennedy.
Credit: James Worsfold
/ Getty Images
Micah made her best save of the night to deny Nina Kajzba in the 62nd minute, before Erzen wasted another good opportunity and Prasnikar placed a shot just wide.
The pace of McNamara made her a threat on the break, and only a superb save by Zara Mersnik in goal prevented her from doubling Australia's lead.
But the young gun got her goal at long last when Raso picked her out with a chip and the unmarked forward had the simplest of headers, before Raso found the net after a good run almost immediately after.
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Montemurro era begins with a bang as Matildas secure 3-0 victory against Slovenia
Holly McNamara has scored her first international goal but new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro was left with plenty to ponder after his side scratched out an unconvincing 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth. Emily Gielnik's third-minute strike in Thursday night's match at HBF Park got the 15th-ranked Matildas off to a flyer, but it wasn't until McNamara scored in the 86th minute that the win was safe. Hayley Raso added the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when she waltzed through the midfield untouched before unleashing a strike from outside the box. Although the 3-0 scoreline looked good on paper, the performance was far from slick in front of a crowd of just 8678. The under-strength Matildas were error-prone throughout the night, especially in defence where they attempted to play their way out of trouble at every chance. Montemurro's possession-based game plan was always going to have teething problems, but the sheer amount of errors will be a huge concern. Things started brightly when Gielnik stayed persistent in a goalmouth scrap to score the opener. But the Matildas' determination to retain possession at all costs led to numerous sloppy turnovers, many of which should have been punished. Time and again, the Matildas opted to go backwards instead of finding the gaps further ahead - leading to problems whenever Slovenia were able to pick off the pass. One such turnover let Spela Kolbl off the leash in the 15th minute, with her floating cross glancing off the crossbar. The Matildas' best opportunities in the first half generally came when defender Ellie Carpenter found some space to charge forward, with her pace and physicality proving hard to stop. The Matildas' worst defensive error of the night arrived in the 52nd minute when Clare Hunt was unaware an opponent was bearing down on her as she attempted a short pass. She got stripped of the ball but was left breathing a huge sigh of relief when Slovenia striker Zara Kramzar fired straight at Matildas keeper Teagan Micah from close range. It was Alanna Kennedy's turn to commit a horror mistake 10 minutes later when her clumsy attempt to control the bouncing ball while running back to defend resulted in a costly deflection. Slovenian substitute Nina Kajzba pounced on the mistake, with her strike forcing Micah to make a fine diving save. McNamara, who has endured three knee reconstructions during her career, was a threat throughout the match. The 22-year-old, playing her 10th international, finally received her reward when she put away a header at the far post following a sublime cross from Raso. McNamara's teammates mobbed her as she celebrated her first Matildas goal. A minute later, Raso went on a run and curled in a precision strike from the edge of the box. The Matildas went into the international window missing a host of their best players. Sam Kerr (ACL), Mary Fowler (ACL) and Tameka Yallop (leg) were all out through injury, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
McNamara ends goal drought to help save sloppy Matildas
Holly McNamara has scored her first international goal but new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro was left with plenty to ponder after his side scratched out an unconvincing 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth. Emily Gielnik's third-minute strike in Thursday night's match at HBF Park got the 15th-ranked Matildas off to a flyer, but it wasn't until McNamara scored in the 86th minute that the win was safe. Hayley Raso added the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when she waltzed through the midfield untouched before unleashing a strike from outside the box. Although the 3-0 scoreline looked good on paper, the performance was far from slick in front of a crowd of just 8678. The under-strength Matildas were error-prone throughout the night, especially in defence where they attempted to play their way out of trouble at every chance. Montemurro's possession-based game plan was always going to have teething problems, but the sheer amount of errors will be a huge concern. Things started brightly when Gielnik stayed persistent in a goalmouth scrap to score the opener. But the Matildas' determination to retain possession at all costs led to numerous sloppy turnovers, many of which should have been punished. Time and again, the Matildas opted to go backwards instead of finding the gaps further ahead - leading to problems whenever Slovenia were able to pick off the pass. One such turnover let Spela Kolbl off the leash in the 15th minute, with her floating cross glancing off the crossbar. The Matildas' best opportunities in the first half generally came when defender Ellie Carpenter found some space to charge forward, with her pace and physicality proving hard to stop. The Matildas' worst defensive error of the night arrived in the 52nd minute when Clare Hunt was unaware an opponent was bearing down on her as she attempted a short pass. She got stripped of the ball but was left breathing a huge sigh of relief when Slovenia striker Zara Kramzar fired straight at Matildas keeper Teagan Micah from close range. It was Alanna Kennedy's turn to commit a horror mistake 10 minutes later when her clumsy attempt to control the bouncing ball while running back to defend resulted in a costly deflection. Slovenian substitute Nina Kajzba pounced on the mistake, with her strike forcing Micah to make a fine diving save. McNamara, who has endured three knee reconstructions during her career, was a threat throughout the match. The 22-year-old, playing her 10th international, finally received her reward when she put away a header at the far post following a sublime cross from Raso. "She's a player that's very, very smart in arriving in space," Montemurro said of McNamara. "And what I mean by that she makes her runs very, very late, which is very hard to mark. "That's a feeling - you can't coach that." A minute after McNamara's goal, Raso went on a run and curled in a precision strike from the edge of the box. The Matildas went into the international window missing a host of their best players, including injured superstars Sam Kerr (knee) and Mary Fowler (knee). Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave, while Clare Wheeler left the camp earlier this week due to personal reasons. Australia face Slovenia again in Perth on Sunday, before taking on Panama in Bunbury on July 5 and in Perth on July 8. Holly McNamara has scored her first international goal but new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro was left with plenty to ponder after his side scratched out an unconvincing 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth. Emily Gielnik's third-minute strike in Thursday night's match at HBF Park got the 15th-ranked Matildas off to a flyer, but it wasn't until McNamara scored in the 86th minute that the win was safe. Hayley Raso added the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when she waltzed through the midfield untouched before unleashing a strike from outside the box. Although the 3-0 scoreline looked good on paper, the performance was far from slick in front of a crowd of just 8678. The under-strength Matildas were error-prone throughout the night, especially in defence where they attempted to play their way out of trouble at every chance. Montemurro's possession-based game plan was always going to have teething problems, but the sheer amount of errors will be a huge concern. Things started brightly when Gielnik stayed persistent in a goalmouth scrap to score the opener. But the Matildas' determination to retain possession at all costs led to numerous sloppy turnovers, many of which should have been punished. Time and again, the Matildas opted to go backwards instead of finding the gaps further ahead - leading to problems whenever Slovenia were able to pick off the pass. One such turnover let Spela Kolbl off the leash in the 15th minute, with her floating cross glancing off the crossbar. The Matildas' best opportunities in the first half generally came when defender Ellie Carpenter found some space to charge forward, with her pace and physicality proving hard to stop. The Matildas' worst defensive error of the night arrived in the 52nd minute when Clare Hunt was unaware an opponent was bearing down on her as she attempted a short pass. She got stripped of the ball but was left breathing a huge sigh of relief when Slovenia striker Zara Kramzar fired straight at Matildas keeper Teagan Micah from close range. It was Alanna Kennedy's turn to commit a horror mistake 10 minutes later when her clumsy attempt to control the bouncing ball while running back to defend resulted in a costly deflection. Slovenian substitute Nina Kajzba pounced on the mistake, with her strike forcing Micah to make a fine diving save. McNamara, who has endured three knee reconstructions during her career, was a threat throughout the match. The 22-year-old, playing her 10th international, finally received her reward when she put away a header at the far post following a sublime cross from Raso. "She's a player that's very, very smart in arriving in space," Montemurro said of McNamara. "And what I mean by that she makes her runs very, very late, which is very hard to mark. "That's a feeling - you can't coach that." A minute after McNamara's goal, Raso went on a run and curled in a precision strike from the edge of the box. The Matildas went into the international window missing a host of their best players, including injured superstars Sam Kerr (knee) and Mary Fowler (knee). Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave, while Clare Wheeler left the camp earlier this week due to personal reasons. Australia face Slovenia again in Perth on Sunday, before taking on Panama in Bunbury on July 5 and in Perth on July 8. Holly McNamara has scored her first international goal but new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro was left with plenty to ponder after his side scratched out an unconvincing 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth. Emily Gielnik's third-minute strike in Thursday night's match at HBF Park got the 15th-ranked Matildas off to a flyer, but it wasn't until McNamara scored in the 86th minute that the win was safe. Hayley Raso added the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when she waltzed through the midfield untouched before unleashing a strike from outside the box. Although the 3-0 scoreline looked good on paper, the performance was far from slick in front of a crowd of just 8678. The under-strength Matildas were error-prone throughout the night, especially in defence where they attempted to play their way out of trouble at every chance. Montemurro's possession-based game plan was always going to have teething problems, but the sheer amount of errors will be a huge concern. Things started brightly when Gielnik stayed persistent in a goalmouth scrap to score the opener. But the Matildas' determination to retain possession at all costs led to numerous sloppy turnovers, many of which should have been punished. Time and again, the Matildas opted to go backwards instead of finding the gaps further ahead - leading to problems whenever Slovenia were able to pick off the pass. One such turnover let Spela Kolbl off the leash in the 15th minute, with her floating cross glancing off the crossbar. The Matildas' best opportunities in the first half generally came when defender Ellie Carpenter found some space to charge forward, with her pace and physicality proving hard to stop. The Matildas' worst defensive error of the night arrived in the 52nd minute when Clare Hunt was unaware an opponent was bearing down on her as she attempted a short pass. She got stripped of the ball but was left breathing a huge sigh of relief when Slovenia striker Zara Kramzar fired straight at Matildas keeper Teagan Micah from close range. It was Alanna Kennedy's turn to commit a horror mistake 10 minutes later when her clumsy attempt to control the bouncing ball while running back to defend resulted in a costly deflection. Slovenian substitute Nina Kajzba pounced on the mistake, with her strike forcing Micah to make a fine diving save. McNamara, who has endured three knee reconstructions during her career, was a threat throughout the match. The 22-year-old, playing her 10th international, finally received her reward when she put away a header at the far post following a sublime cross from Raso. "She's a player that's very, very smart in arriving in space," Montemurro said of McNamara. "And what I mean by that she makes her runs very, very late, which is very hard to mark. "That's a feeling - you can't coach that." A minute after McNamara's goal, Raso went on a run and curled in a precision strike from the edge of the box. The Matildas went into the international window missing a host of their best players, including injured superstars Sam Kerr (knee) and Mary Fowler (knee). Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Cortnee Vine are all on personal leave, while Clare Wheeler left the camp earlier this week due to personal reasons. Australia face Slovenia again in Perth on Sunday, before taking on Panama in Bunbury on July 5 and in Perth on July 8.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Aussie teen star misses out in Wimbledon qualifying bid
Emerson Jones has missed out in her bold bid to become the youngest Australian player since Ash Barty to make the singles main draw at Wimbledon. But veteran Alex Bolt beat both the rain and one of the game's rising young stars at Roehampton on Thursday to reach back-to-back main draws at the grass-court slam. The 16-year-old Gold Coast star Jones, the world's No.1 junior, found Frenchwoman Diane Parry too tough a hurdle in the final round of qualifying at the leafy London club near Wimbledon as she succumbed 6-2 6-2 in difficult windy conditions. Jones, who was seeking to become the youngest Aussie since former Wimbledon champ Barty made it back in 2012, couldn't adapt to the blustery conditions as well as her much more experienced opponent Parry, a 22-year-old who reached the third round at SW19 in 2022 as a teen. Jones at least still has the chance to shoot for the junior title at Wimbledon where she reached the final last year. She celebrates her 17th birthday at the Championships a week on Monday. With six players having reached the last round of qualifying, Australian hopes were boosted by another stirring display from 32-year-old Bolt, who made it into Wimbledon's main draw for the fourth time. Last year, the left-hander from Murray Bridge, the South Australian city where he acquired his prowess on the local grass courts, had the most dramatic ride to the big show, coming in as an alternate at 10 minutes' notice and only making it through his three matches by saving a match point en route. But this time, his journey was much less complicated as he dropped just one set en route in his three matches, ending up having a bit too much know-how for 19-year-old Spaniard Martin Landaluce, one of the game's rising stars, on Thursday with his 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory. "Martin's a very talented youngster. These young guys, they have nothing to lose out here. I've qualified a couple times here now, so I was just trying to draw on that experience, and I brought a pretty good level," said Bolt, who'll be seeking to emulate his best performance of getting to the second round in 2021. To have made it to another slam as the world No.181 after a stop-start career riddled with injuries left Bolt thrilled. "It's massive. I guess there's no secret that I'm closer to the end of my career than the start and as long as I'm fit and healthy, I feel like I can keep going," he said. Four other Aussies were in action in the final round of quallies, but rain caused an interruption to the day's program. Emerson Jones has missed out in her bold bid to become the youngest Australian player since Ash Barty to make the singles main draw at Wimbledon. But veteran Alex Bolt beat both the rain and one of the game's rising young stars at Roehampton on Thursday to reach back-to-back main draws at the grass-court slam. The 16-year-old Gold Coast star Jones, the world's No.1 junior, found Frenchwoman Diane Parry too tough a hurdle in the final round of qualifying at the leafy London club near Wimbledon as she succumbed 6-2 6-2 in difficult windy conditions. Jones, who was seeking to become the youngest Aussie since former Wimbledon champ Barty made it back in 2012, couldn't adapt to the blustery conditions as well as her much more experienced opponent Parry, a 22-year-old who reached the third round at SW19 in 2022 as a teen. Jones at least still has the chance to shoot for the junior title at Wimbledon where she reached the final last year. She celebrates her 17th birthday at the Championships a week on Monday. With six players having reached the last round of qualifying, Australian hopes were boosted by another stirring display from 32-year-old Bolt, who made it into Wimbledon's main draw for the fourth time. Last year, the left-hander from Murray Bridge, the South Australian city where he acquired his prowess on the local grass courts, had the most dramatic ride to the big show, coming in as an alternate at 10 minutes' notice and only making it through his three matches by saving a match point en route. But this time, his journey was much less complicated as he dropped just one set en route in his three matches, ending up having a bit too much know-how for 19-year-old Spaniard Martin Landaluce, one of the game's rising stars, on Thursday with his 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory. "Martin's a very talented youngster. These young guys, they have nothing to lose out here. I've qualified a couple times here now, so I was just trying to draw on that experience, and I brought a pretty good level," said Bolt, who'll be seeking to emulate his best performance of getting to the second round in 2021. To have made it to another slam as the world No.181 after a stop-start career riddled with injuries left Bolt thrilled. "It's massive. I guess there's no secret that I'm closer to the end of my career than the start and as long as I'm fit and healthy, I feel like I can keep going," he said. Four other Aussies were in action in the final round of quallies, but rain caused an interruption to the day's program. Emerson Jones has missed out in her bold bid to become the youngest Australian player since Ash Barty to make the singles main draw at Wimbledon. But veteran Alex Bolt beat both the rain and one of the game's rising young stars at Roehampton on Thursday to reach back-to-back main draws at the grass-court slam. The 16-year-old Gold Coast star Jones, the world's No.1 junior, found Frenchwoman Diane Parry too tough a hurdle in the final round of qualifying at the leafy London club near Wimbledon as she succumbed 6-2 6-2 in difficult windy conditions. Jones, who was seeking to become the youngest Aussie since former Wimbledon champ Barty made it back in 2012, couldn't adapt to the blustery conditions as well as her much more experienced opponent Parry, a 22-year-old who reached the third round at SW19 in 2022 as a teen. Jones at least still has the chance to shoot for the junior title at Wimbledon where she reached the final last year. She celebrates her 17th birthday at the Championships a week on Monday. With six players having reached the last round of qualifying, Australian hopes were boosted by another stirring display from 32-year-old Bolt, who made it into Wimbledon's main draw for the fourth time. Last year, the left-hander from Murray Bridge, the South Australian city where he acquired his prowess on the local grass courts, had the most dramatic ride to the big show, coming in as an alternate at 10 minutes' notice and only making it through his three matches by saving a match point en route. But this time, his journey was much less complicated as he dropped just one set en route in his three matches, ending up having a bit too much know-how for 19-year-old Spaniard Martin Landaluce, one of the game's rising stars, on Thursday with his 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory. "Martin's a very talented youngster. These young guys, they have nothing to lose out here. I've qualified a couple times here now, so I was just trying to draw on that experience, and I brought a pretty good level," said Bolt, who'll be seeking to emulate his best performance of getting to the second round in 2021. To have made it to another slam as the world No.181 after a stop-start career riddled with injuries left Bolt thrilled. "It's massive. I guess there's no secret that I'm closer to the end of my career than the start and as long as I'm fit and healthy, I feel like I can keep going," he said. Four other Aussies were in action in the final round of quallies, but rain caused an interruption to the day's program. Emerson Jones has missed out in her bold bid to become the youngest Australian player since Ash Barty to make the singles main draw at Wimbledon. But veteran Alex Bolt beat both the rain and one of the game's rising young stars at Roehampton on Thursday to reach back-to-back main draws at the grass-court slam. The 16-year-old Gold Coast star Jones, the world's No.1 junior, found Frenchwoman Diane Parry too tough a hurdle in the final round of qualifying at the leafy London club near Wimbledon as she succumbed 6-2 6-2 in difficult windy conditions. Jones, who was seeking to become the youngest Aussie since former Wimbledon champ Barty made it back in 2012, couldn't adapt to the blustery conditions as well as her much more experienced opponent Parry, a 22-year-old who reached the third round at SW19 in 2022 as a teen. Jones at least still has the chance to shoot for the junior title at Wimbledon where she reached the final last year. She celebrates her 17th birthday at the Championships a week on Monday. With six players having reached the last round of qualifying, Australian hopes were boosted by another stirring display from 32-year-old Bolt, who made it into Wimbledon's main draw for the fourth time. Last year, the left-hander from Murray Bridge, the South Australian city where he acquired his prowess on the local grass courts, had the most dramatic ride to the big show, coming in as an alternate at 10 minutes' notice and only making it through his three matches by saving a match point en route. But this time, his journey was much less complicated as he dropped just one set en route in his three matches, ending up having a bit too much know-how for 19-year-old Spaniard Martin Landaluce, one of the game's rising stars, on Thursday with his 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory. "Martin's a very talented youngster. These young guys, they have nothing to lose out here. I've qualified a couple times here now, so I was just trying to draw on that experience, and I brought a pretty good level," said Bolt, who'll be seeking to emulate his best performance of getting to the second round in 2021. To have made it to another slam as the world No.181 after a stop-start career riddled with injuries left Bolt thrilled. "It's massive. I guess there's no secret that I'm closer to the end of my career than the start and as long as I'm fit and healthy, I feel like I can keep going," he said. Four other Aussies were in action in the final round of quallies, but rain caused an interruption to the day's program.
