‘Could have been 7-6’: New Matildas coach hails ‘perfect game’ as era begins with impressive win

Matildas win first game under new coach | 02:35

New Matilda’s coach Joe Montemurro said Thursday night’s 3-0 win over Slovenia was the “perfect game” as his tenure started brightly in Perth.

Montemurro took charge of the Matildas for the first time since being announced as coach on June 2.

He had only three training sessions with the squad before Thursday night’s friendly.

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Montemurro said Slovenia had provided them the type of game they needed.

“We have to put ourselves in positions, especially against the team that played player on player, to be comfortable receiving the ball under pressure,” he said.

“And we made, I think, three or four big errors in that.

“But I’m not concerned, because it’s the process going forward.

“For me, it was the perfect game. It was the perfect game; a team that’s pressured all over the pitch, and we have to be comfortable under that pressure.

“We have to learn to be that.

“So, for me it was an important exercise tonight.”

The Matildas had the first goal scored after just three minutes. None of the Slovenian players had registered a pass at that time.

Australia then had to wait 83 minutes for the next goal though, which was quickly followed by a third.

Substitute Hayley Raso was among the action for the last two goals, passing one to Holly McNamara for her first international goal. She kicked the last one herself.

In between, Slovenia squandered the most opportunities.

It had 20 shots on goal, to the Matilda’s 18.

Australia goalkeeper Teagan Micah was awarded player of the match for her six saves, although a couple of them were made easy by the opposition kicking it straight into her arms.

“It was an entertaining game,” Montemurro said.

“It could have been what, 6-5, or 7-6, or something?

“But look, for me, it was a very, very important test, because a team that will play player on player, in that manner, you know, we have to learn.

“We have to learn to be better under these circumstances, because a lot of teams will do this.”

Slovenia is likely to do it again on Sunday when the two sides meet in the second and final friendly, again at Perth’s HBF Park.

MATCH REPORT

Matilda’s forward Emily Gielnik gave new Australian women’s coach Joe Montemurro the perfect start to his international coaching career less than three minutes into their friendly against Slovenia in Perth on Thursday night.

Holly McNamara, who looked dangerous in attack all game, sealed the victory for him 83 minutes later.

The 15th ranked Matildas finished with a 3-0 win over the 38th ranked Slovenia after Hayley Raso followed McNamara into the net one minute later.

It was an error-riddled performance from the Matildas though, they were lucky to have kept a clean sheet.

New boss Montemurro wants his team to play a possession brand of football and they did that.

Australia had almost 60 per cent possession, but a lot of it was in their own half, defending.

Slovenia had 20 shots on goal, to the Matilda’s 18.

The second and final game of this series is on Sunday, ahead of two games against Panama, ranked 56 in the world, on 5 July and 8 July.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Holly McNamara of the Matildas celebrates a goal during the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and Slovenia at HBF Park on June 26, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

- Welcome back -

It wasn’t the Matildas best squad on HBF Park, with at least half a dozen missing for different reasons.

They did welcome a few back, who have missed recent internationals.

Ellie Carpenter didn’t play in the winning series against Argentina for personal reasons, but slotted straight back in.

Raso returned from a quad tendon injury, while Mackenzie Arnold missed the last international window due to a leg injury sustained while playing for Portland Thorns.

Raso entered the game in the 75th minute and had an instant impact She passed the ball to give McNamara her first international goal in her 10th appearance. And she scored the last one herself, a gift from Slovenia’s defence.

Arnold wasn’t used, but Montemurro will surely play her on Sunday considering she is not available for the next series, against Panama.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Joe Montemurro, coach of Australia acknowledges Natasha Prior after winning the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and Slovenia at HBF Park on June 26, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

- My goals -

Arnold’s absence has left Teagan Micah in goal for recent games.

She’d done well too and did so again on Thursday. The Matildas played four games this year before this clash with Slovenia, winning all four – two against Argentina and two against Korea Republic.

Micah enjoyed clean sheets in three of them, letting in just one goal, against Argentina in a 4-1 win in Canberra on June 2.

She had a few nervous moments on Thursday.

Some poor passing by Australia’s defenders gave Slovenia chances.

They looked after Micah in the first half, Maya Sternad spraying one wide from close range and Spela Bolbl hitting the crossbar.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Holly McNamara of the Matildas in action during the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and Slovenia at HBF Park on June 26, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

- Off target -

Micah was needed much more in the second half though, called upon to make five saves and was awarded with player of the match honours because of them.

Slovenia was 5-1 going in international this year before Thursday night, beating Greece, twice, Turkey, twice and Ireland.

Hitting the back of the net had not been a problem, scoring 12 goals in those five wins.

Zara Kramzar and Lara Prasnikar have been scoring regularly.

The radar was off for this pair and their teammate in Perth though.

Kramzar had the perfect opportunity to level the game 1-1 in the 52nd minute after being gifted the ball by Matilda’s defender Clare Hunt, but kicked it straight to a waiting Micah..

Prasnikar had several realistic scoring chances after half-time, but couldn’t convert any of them.

Australia Matildas v Slovenia

8,678 at HBF Park, Perth

Matildas 3 (Gielnik 3, McNamara 86, Raso 87)

Slovenia 0

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