CommBank Matildas flip the script in injury-time to record famous victory in Townsville

An Emily Van Egmond strike and Sam Kerr header in the last five minutes of play, has seen Australia triumph in extraordinary circumstances over arch-rivals New Zealand during a warm night in North Queensland

It didn't seem like a victory for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas was achievable for the first 90 minutes, as the Football Ferns defended admirably, pulling off several desperate acts to stop the Australian onslaught.

A first half of near misses summed up the Commonwealth Bank Matildas' early performance. Starting strongly through the work of runners like Hayley Raso and Ellie Carpenter once again, the Football Ferns found themselves camped within their own penalty box.

All that was needed were quality deliveries into the area for the girls in green and gold to convert from. No surprise that Catley was the one who obliged, lifting a delightful cross toward the near post, where goal merchant Clare Polkinghorne leapt, heading the ball goal-ward, with just the keeper's fingertips denying the centre-back another opener.

It would always be dangerous for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas if they failed to convert, with a New Zealand counter-attack late in the first half leading to a floated cross from Anna Green, which instead of finding her teammate on the penalty spot, leapt over the hands of Lydia Williams and into the far top-corner, sending the Kiwis into the sheds ahead of their Trans-Tasman foes.

The second half saw 100-cap Caitlin Foord introduced and given the captain's armband to commemorate the achievement. Immediately, the forward straightened the team's attack, complementing the darting runs made by Raso and Carpenter on the opposite side, with superb hold-up play, to supply the quality ball to the forwards around her.

Not for the desperate diving efforts from New Zealand's defenders, Sam Kerr, Emily Van Egmond, and Foord would've nabbed goals within the hour mark, with the Kiwi performance garnering plenty of optimism for their upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup campaign on home soil. 

Tameka Yallop was then brought on to liven the attack, with the girl from Cairns, Mary Fowler, given a round of applause from her home supporters after coming off, having withstood the hot North Queensland conditions for over an hour in the middle of the park. Vine was also thrust into the front-line late, with the time ticking into 90 plus minutes, without an Australian goal.

As the 10,000 strong Townsville grew worried about a Matildas revival, a brazen run down the right from Carpenter lead to a cut-back toward Van Egmond. The midfielder had been the hero in injury-time before against the Chinese and once again came up clutch, striking the first time past the keeper's flailing left hand. 

Before the commentary team could even mutter the phrase 'never say die', Kerr had placed the ball back on the halfway line, with the girls still not satisfied with a point against their traditional foes. Immediate pressure from the kick-off from Yallop and Vine gave the Australians possession once again, with a cross deflected out for a corner, giving the girls one last chance to score the winner.

Even with 95 minutes have gone by, and the whistle placed firmly in the referee's mouth, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas launched themselves toward a cross in the corner, with a New Zealand deflection pushing the ball upward toward our nation's greatest ever goal-scorer, on the six-yard line. Sam Kerr may have been frustrated throughout the match, but any WSL or A-League Women's defender could tell you, that the forward only needs half an opportunity thoroughly punish you.

The Chelsea forward rose above the pack and headed past a sea of defenders into an open net, sending the Townsville crowd into raptures. A match that Australia deserved to win on the balance of play, yet because of the inspirational efforts of the Kiwis in defence, a match their opponents did not deserve to lose. The tie is now set up perfectly for the second encounter in the nation's capital in just four days' time.

Commonwealth Bank Matildas v New Zealand 
Tuesday, 12 April 2022  
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra 
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm (AEST)  
Broadcast: Live and free on 10 Bold and simulcast on 10 Play and Paramount+.  
Ticketing Details: Buy now!