The CommBank Matildas launched the Joe Montemurro era with a convincing 3-0 victory over Slovenia in Perth, where Ninja A-League stars Emily Gielnik and Holly McNamara both found the back of the net.
Back in the squad and starting for the match, Melbourne Victory winger Gielnik wasted no time, scoring just two minutes in as the Matildas pounced on Slovenia’s failure to clear an early corner.
Goalkeeper Teagan Micah played a crucial role in maintaining the Matildas’ lead, fending off several Slovenian attacks after a string of defensive missteps. Micah’s agile saves prevented the visitors from equalising.
Ninja A-League Golden Boot winner McNamara had a chance to score in the 65th minute but was denied by Slovenian keeper Zala Meršnik. However, she made her breakthrough in the 86th minute, connecting with a powerful header to secure her first Matildas goal and seal the win.
McNamara’s goal arrived 1,253 days after her debut on January 21, 2022.
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After the match, Montemurro praised McNamara’s intelligence on the field, stating, “She’s very smart at finding space. Her late runs make her difficult to mark. There were a couple of instances in the first half where she made late runs to get into position.”
“It’s all about feeling those situations; you can’t coach that,” he added.
Montemurro further remarked, “The more we can put players in these positions, the better they will become at making the right decisions.”
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In the 87th minute, winger Hayley Raso capped off the performance with a low shot into the bottom corner, bringing the final score to 3-0 and delighting the home fans.
“It was a quick start for us,” Gielnik told reporters after the match. “Every striker loves to score, and I’m thrilled to be back in the squad and contributing to my country’s success.”
“Of course, the 3-0 result is the priority, but there’s nothing like seeing the ball hit the net!”
Competing alongside McNamara for the Ninja A-League Golden Boot earlier in the season, Gielnik shared she offered encouragement to the City star before heading onto the field at HBF Park.
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“I told her before the match, ‘Today is your day to score,’” Gielnik said. “As a striker, you always want to break that scoring drought, and I couldn’t be prouder of her today.”
“McNamara is incredibly versatile; her form in the A-League really shines through here. Her speed and ability to challenge defenders make her a threat in attack,” she added.
“We haven’t even scratched the surface of what she can do. Her development is exciting, and we saw hints of it tonight. She’s capable of holding up play, taking on opponents, and using her pace effectively. I believe she’ll have many more chances, and I hope this goal marks a pivotal moment for her career.”
The Matildas are set to face Slovenia again at HBF Park on Saturday before taking on Panama in Bunbury on July 5.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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