A Sam Kerr double and a stunning strike from Hayley Raso helped the Matildas take another step towards next year’s Women’s World Cup, closing out the two-game friendly series against New Zealand.
But for some fans in Canberra on Tuesday night, memories of the match will be drawn from the what happened after the 90 minutes on the pitch.
Long after the final whistle was blown at the conclusion of the 3-1 win, players were out on the field signing autographs for passionate fans.
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Veteran Matildas midfielder Aivi Luik also shaved her head on the field after the clash to raise money for brain tumour research following her brother’s devastating diagnosis.
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On the field, the Matildas opened the scoring in the 15th minute, with Kerr heading home a corner from Steph Catley.
Hayley Raso’s low shot from the edge of the penalty area snuck inside the far post just minutes later, giving the Australians the strong start they needed following the first clash in Townsville.
Kerr struck again in the 32d minute, poking the ball past the goalkeeper with the outside of her foot to give Australia a three-goal cushion.
New Zealand pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time against the run of play to give them some hope but both sides failed to get on the scoresheet in the second half.
“I think the players were 100 per cent focused in that final third tonight, especially in the first half,” said coach Tony Gustavsson.
“We did lack a little bit of concentration at the end of the first half. We should not have let them get that goal and get some hopes at half-time. But definitely the focus in the final third was good tonight.”
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