The Australian women's football team, the Matildas, will make their first appearance on home soil since FIFA Women's World Cup in China last September.
The Matildas will commence preparations for May's AFC Women's Asian Cup with a three-match series of international friendly matches against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast commencing on Sunday.
The Matildas, who thrilled supporters with their stunning run to a quarter final berth at the FIFA Women's World Cup, will be looking to go one better than their runners-up finish at the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup when they tackle Asia's best at the 2008 edition of the tournament.
While injury has depleted Tom Sermanni's squad, many key World Cup squad members are set to take the field including strikers Lisa De Vanna and Sarah Walsh, midfielders Heather Garriock and Collette McCallum, plus inspirational skipper Cheryl Salisbury.
Several members of last year's Young Matildas squad have also earned selection including Adelaide-based striker Victoria Balomenos, Sydney duo Lyndsay Glohe and Renee Rollason, as well as Queensland youngsters Tameka Butt and Elise Kellond-Knight.
"The squad for these matches is quite depleted with a number of World Cup squad players missing for a variety of reasons," said Sermanni.
"The three matches will certainly test our depth, with our preparation for these matches also significantly affected.
"On the positive side this provides an opportunity for some fringe players to show me what they are capable of and press for further selection ahead of the Women's Asian Cup.
"We now have to look to the future, work towards continual incremental improvement and ensure that we do not have a World Cup hangover."
The Matildas squad for the three-match series against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast is:
Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)
Defenders – Lyndsay Glohe (Sydney), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
Midfielders – Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Elise Kellond-Knight (Brisbane), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle), Renee Rollason (Sydney), Sally Shipard (Brisbane)
Forwards – Victoria Balomenos (Adelaide), Joanne Burgess (Brisbane), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lisa De Vanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Sarah Walsh (Sydney)
(current home city)
Fixtures:
Australia v New Zealand
Saturday 1 March, 4pm
Australia v New Zealand
Monday 3 March, 4pm
Australia v New Zealand
Wednesday 5 March, 4pm
All matches at Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast (320 Nicklin Way, Bokarina)
Entry to the matches is free.
MATILDAS WALTZ IN TO 2008 WITH TRANS-TASMAN SERIES
Moderators: BillShankly, John Cena, Forum Admins
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BillShankly
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billy the kid
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neits/burgo/shadow
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she had her foot in a boot a couple of months ago, maybe she's not ready for games yet. just a guess.billy the kid wrote:Sad though with Di no longer in the team. You are a legend and a product of your own hard work and dedication.
Gubbo and team chi r #1!DJ Di is my hero!
ASIAN-SENSATION ARE FOREVER!
Perfect pitch with ALAGICH!!
ASIAN-SENSATION ARE FOREVER!
Perfect pitch with ALAGICH!!
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KrAzY
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billy the kid
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Well your damned if you do and damned if you dont.
A lot of people on here have been complaining for a long time that you have to get rid of the older SASI players and concentrate on the younger ones.
Now that SASI have done that your still complaining because we have only 1 girl in the national squad.
Give it a rest will you.
A lot of people on here have been complaining for a long time that you have to get rid of the older SASI players and concentrate on the younger ones.
Now that SASI have done that your still complaining because we have only 1 girl in the national squad.
Give it a rest will you.
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neits/burgo/shadow
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well said mrs trainer.Mrs Trainer wrote:Well your damned if you do and damned if you dont.
A lot of people on here have been complaining for a long time that you have to get rid of the older SASI players and concentrate on the younger ones.
Now that SASI have done that your still complaining because we have only 1 girl in the national squad.
Give it a rest will you.
the players are either good enough or they arent. and maybe at this stage, we only have one play who is good enough. and btw, well done and goodluck vicki my asian sensation friend!
plus, we have had a few players in the under age national teams. so there is potential in the future for more SA girls to hit it with the senior aussie team. patience is a virtue. lol
Gubbo and team chi r #1!DJ Di is my hero!
ASIAN-SENSATION ARE FOREVER!
Perfect pitch with ALAGICH!!
ASIAN-SENSATION ARE FOREVER!
Perfect pitch with ALAGICH!!
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BillShankly
- Assistant Coach
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Re: MATILDAS WALTZ IN TO 2008 WITH TRANS-TASMAN SERIES
Matildas see off New Zealand in series opener
The Matildas have scrapped together a 2-0 win over a well-organised New Zealand team, in the first of their three-game series being played at Stockland Park on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Played in a strong southerly wind, Australia managed a goal either side of half time from Sarah Walsh (16th minute) and Jo Burgess in the 54th minute.
Australia ran into a strong headwind in the first half, but with the first real chance of the match, Walsh, playing her 50th game for Australia, pounced on an errant pass from the goalkeeper to finish clinically from the edge of the box.
The home side continued to control possession well, but the final ball into the penalty area, was more than often astray.
Right on half time, Heather Garriock almost managed a second goal for Australia, but saw her close range effort cleared off the line.
Australia with the wind at their backs started positively in the second half, with Clare Polkinghorne sending a header just wide in the 47th minute, while a shot two minutes later hit the post and came back to as grateful NZ keeper.
The pressure finally counted on the scoreboard, when Walsh played a great ball to Burgess, who struck a firm shot from 20 metres on a slight angle that gave the keeper no chance.
Garriock almost made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute, with a solid header that hit the crossbar and saw another header go over the bar 13 minutes later.
Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams was largely a spectator throughout and her first save didn’t come until 10 minutes from the end, saving a long range effort comfortably.
Coach Tom Sermanni was reasonably pleased with the effort, considering it was the first time the squad has been together since last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in September.
“I’m pleased with result considering the adjustments we had to make to our team,” Sermanni said. “We are missing several regular and experienced players and it was our first competitive match since the World Cup.
“It was always going to be difficult against a well organised and focused NZ team, who have made considerable improvement since we last met in July last year.”
The Matildas have scrapped together a 2-0 win over a well-organised New Zealand team, in the first of their three-game series being played at Stockland Park on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Played in a strong southerly wind, Australia managed a goal either side of half time from Sarah Walsh (16th minute) and Jo Burgess in the 54th minute.
Australia ran into a strong headwind in the first half, but with the first real chance of the match, Walsh, playing her 50th game for Australia, pounced on an errant pass from the goalkeeper to finish clinically from the edge of the box.
The home side continued to control possession well, but the final ball into the penalty area, was more than often astray.
Right on half time, Heather Garriock almost managed a second goal for Australia, but saw her close range effort cleared off the line.
Australia with the wind at their backs started positively in the second half, with Clare Polkinghorne sending a header just wide in the 47th minute, while a shot two minutes later hit the post and came back to as grateful NZ keeper.
The pressure finally counted on the scoreboard, when Walsh played a great ball to Burgess, who struck a firm shot from 20 metres on a slight angle that gave the keeper no chance.
Garriock almost made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute, with a solid header that hit the crossbar and saw another header go over the bar 13 minutes later.
Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams was largely a spectator throughout and her first save didn’t come until 10 minutes from the end, saving a long range effort comfortably.
Coach Tom Sermanni was reasonably pleased with the effort, considering it was the first time the squad has been together since last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in September.
“I’m pleased with result considering the adjustments we had to make to our team,” Sermanni said. “We are missing several regular and experienced players and it was our first competitive match since the World Cup.
“It was always going to be difficult against a well organised and focused NZ team, who have made considerable improvement since we last met in July last year.”
Re: MATILDAS WALTZ IN TO 2008 WITH TRANS-TASMAN SERIES
Just read that the Matildas defeated NZ 2-1. Good effort however, the coach Tom, was rather concerned at the missed chances in front of goal.
Given that it was a game in whcih new players were being tried, the result was good.
Given that it was a game in whcih new players were being tried, the result was good.
Re: MATILDAS WALTZ IN TO 2008 WITH TRANS-TASMAN SERIES
The Matildas claimed a series win over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand with a 2-1 victory today in the second outing of a three-match series on the Sunshine Coast.
Despite the narrow scoreline Australia were deserved winners laying siege to the Kiwi goal for lengthy periods of the second half and were unlucky to not claim a greater winning margin.
Kate Gill opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before New Zealand's Emma Kete equalised five minutes before the interval. Canberra-based striker Amy Chapman scored the winner and her first goal for the national team two minutes into the second half.
Inspirational midfielder Collette McCallum was the provider for both goals. Gill finishing with a neat low 20 metre drive, and then Chapman scoring with a smart close-range volley from a pinpoint McCallum cross.
The second half saw Matildas striker Sarah Walsh twice denied by the woodwork, while Kiwi goalkeeper Jenny Bindon made a number of outstanding saves including a fingertip effort to prevent a Cheryl Salisbury header from crossing the line.
Coach Tom Sermanni was again limited with the amount of experienced players available and seven players took the field with two caps or less for the Matildas to their name. Notable amongst these was the only debutant, late call-up from the Queensland Academy of Sport Brooke Spence, who last year captained Australia to the Softball World U-19 Championship. Spence following in the footsteps of Ellyse Perry who debuted for the Matildas last August and has since represented Australia in cricket.
Absent from today's match through injury were Heather Garriock and Lisa De Vanna, while several other World Cup stars are absent from the series including Di Alagich, Kate McShea, Thea Slatyer, Alicia Ferguson and Joanne Peters amongst them.
"I'm very happy to win the game, though I felt we should have scored more goals given the number of chances we had and I also felt that the score didn't reflect the quantity of goalscoring opportunities we created," said Sermanni.
"However I'm very pleased with the way we performed considering the number of changes to the team and the number of young players on the field.
"These games continue to be of great benefit, and allowed some players the opportunity to show me what they can do at this level."
Australia, who the first match on Saturday 2-0, will meet New Zealand again in the final match of the series on Wednesday.
The Matildas are preparing for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup which will be held from May 28 – June 8, 2008, in a venue yet to be decided.
Match Details:
Australia 2 (Kate Gill 22', Amy Chapman 47')
New Zealand 1 (Emma Kete 40')
Matildas line-up: Melissa Barbieri (gk); Clare Polkinghorne, Cheryl Salisbury, Sally Shipard, Caitlin Munoz, Amy Chapman (Victoria Balomenos 75'), Amber Neilson (Renee Rollason 62'), Collette McCallum (Brooke Spence 84'), Elise Kellond-Knight (Tameka Butt 59'), Sarah Walsh, Kate Gill
Substitutes not used: Lydia Williams (gk); Karla Reuter, Joanne Burgess
Unavailable: Heather Garriock, Lyndsay Glohe, Lisa De Vanna
Cautions: Salisbury 58',
New Zealand: Jenny Bindon (GK), Ria Percival, Abby Erceg, Maia Jackman, Ali Riley, Annalie Longo (Emma Kete 30), Hayley Moorwood (Captain), Emily McColl, Kirsty Yallop (Simone Ferrara 60), Renee Leota, Merissa Smith (Wendi Henderson 70 / Hannah Bromley 85).
Substitutes not used: Rachel Howard (RGK)
The Matildas squad for the three-match series against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast is:
Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)
Defenders – Lyndsay Glohe (Sydney), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
Midfielders – Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Elise Kellond-Knight (Brisbane), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle), Renee Rollason (Sydney), Sally Shipard (Brisbane)
Forwards – Victoria Balomenos (Adelaide), Joanne Burgess (Brisbane), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lisa De Vanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Sarah Walsh (Sydney)
(current home city)
Fixtures:
Australia v New Zealand 2-0
Saturday 1 March
Australia v New Zealand 2-1
Monday 3 March
Despite the narrow scoreline Australia were deserved winners laying siege to the Kiwi goal for lengthy periods of the second half and were unlucky to not claim a greater winning margin.
Kate Gill opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before New Zealand's Emma Kete equalised five minutes before the interval. Canberra-based striker Amy Chapman scored the winner and her first goal for the national team two minutes into the second half.
Inspirational midfielder Collette McCallum was the provider for both goals. Gill finishing with a neat low 20 metre drive, and then Chapman scoring with a smart close-range volley from a pinpoint McCallum cross.
The second half saw Matildas striker Sarah Walsh twice denied by the woodwork, while Kiwi goalkeeper Jenny Bindon made a number of outstanding saves including a fingertip effort to prevent a Cheryl Salisbury header from crossing the line.
Coach Tom Sermanni was again limited with the amount of experienced players available and seven players took the field with two caps or less for the Matildas to their name. Notable amongst these was the only debutant, late call-up from the Queensland Academy of Sport Brooke Spence, who last year captained Australia to the Softball World U-19 Championship. Spence following in the footsteps of Ellyse Perry who debuted for the Matildas last August and has since represented Australia in cricket.
Absent from today's match through injury were Heather Garriock and Lisa De Vanna, while several other World Cup stars are absent from the series including Di Alagich, Kate McShea, Thea Slatyer, Alicia Ferguson and Joanne Peters amongst them.
"I'm very happy to win the game, though I felt we should have scored more goals given the number of chances we had and I also felt that the score didn't reflect the quantity of goalscoring opportunities we created," said Sermanni.
"However I'm very pleased with the way we performed considering the number of changes to the team and the number of young players on the field.
"These games continue to be of great benefit, and allowed some players the opportunity to show me what they can do at this level."
Australia, who the first match on Saturday 2-0, will meet New Zealand again in the final match of the series on Wednesday.
The Matildas are preparing for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup which will be held from May 28 – June 8, 2008, in a venue yet to be decided.
Match Details:
Australia 2 (Kate Gill 22', Amy Chapman 47')
New Zealand 1 (Emma Kete 40')
Matildas line-up: Melissa Barbieri (gk); Clare Polkinghorne, Cheryl Salisbury, Sally Shipard, Caitlin Munoz, Amy Chapman (Victoria Balomenos 75'), Amber Neilson (Renee Rollason 62'), Collette McCallum (Brooke Spence 84'), Elise Kellond-Knight (Tameka Butt 59'), Sarah Walsh, Kate Gill
Substitutes not used: Lydia Williams (gk); Karla Reuter, Joanne Burgess
Unavailable: Heather Garriock, Lyndsay Glohe, Lisa De Vanna
Cautions: Salisbury 58',
New Zealand: Jenny Bindon (GK), Ria Percival, Abby Erceg, Maia Jackman, Ali Riley, Annalie Longo (Emma Kete 30), Hayley Moorwood (Captain), Emily McColl, Kirsty Yallop (Simone Ferrara 60), Renee Leota, Merissa Smith (Wendi Henderson 70 / Hannah Bromley 85).
Substitutes not used: Rachel Howard (RGK)
The Matildas squad for the three-match series against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast is:
Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)
Defenders – Lyndsay Glohe (Sydney), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
Midfielders – Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Elise Kellond-Knight (Brisbane), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle), Renee Rollason (Sydney), Sally Shipard (Brisbane)
Forwards – Victoria Balomenos (Adelaide), Joanne Burgess (Brisbane), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lisa De Vanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Sarah Walsh (Sydney)
(current home city)
Fixtures:
Australia v New Zealand 2-0
Saturday 1 March
Australia v New Zealand 2-1
Monday 3 March
Re: MATILDAS WALTZ IN TO 2008 WITH TRANS-TASMAN SERIES
The Matildas were forced to come from behind to defeat New Zealand 4-2 in the third and final match of their series today on the Sunshine Coast.
In a match marred by high winds, the visitors held a 2-1 half time advantage however a second half double from long-serving skipper Cheryl Salisbury helped ensure Australia claim a clean sweep of the series after earlier 2-0 and 2-1 wins for the FIFA Women's World Cup quarter finalists.
The win also extended Australia's remarkable winning streak against the Kiwis to 14 matches dating back to 1994.
AFC Women's Player of the Year nominee Collette McCallum opened the scoring in just the ninth minute scoring direct from an inswinging corner that deceived the goalkeeper.
New Zealand equalised just four minutes later through Merissa Smith, before taking a shock lead seconds prior to half time through captain Hayley Moorewood.
Australia restored parity 13 minutes into the second period, and this time it was the home skipper getting her name on the scoresheet, with Salisbury finishing with confidence from the penalty spot after a handball.
The Matildas however had to wait until five minutes from full time to regain the lead with against the spirited New Zealanders with Salisbury heading in a McCallum corner.
The dose was repeated in injury time with this time Clare Polkinghorne heading in her maiden goal for the Matildas from a Heather Garriock corner.
"The conditions made today extremely difficult to play good football with extreme winds, and also quite a firm pitch, so it certainly wasn't a pretty match," said coach Tom Sermanni.
"On the plus side we managed to score four goals against a very spirited New Zealand team, and held our discipline throughout even when we fell behind.
"The series was very beneficial giving us some quality time on the pitch together, and I also had the opportunity to blood some younger players at international level."
The Matildas are preparing for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup which will be held from May 28 – June 8, 2008, in a venue yet to be decided.
Match Details:
Australia 4 (Collette McCallum 9', Cheryl Salisbury 58' pen, 85', Clare Polkinghorne 91')
New Zealand 2 (Merissa Smith 13', Hayley Moorwood 46'+)
Matildas line-up: Melissa Barbieri (Lydia Williams h/t); Clare Polkinghorne, Cheryl Salisbury, Sally Shipard (Kim Carroll h/t), Karla Reuter (Ellen Beaumont h/t), Heather Garriock, Collette McCallum, Joanne Burgess (Amy Chapman 58'), Caitlin Munoz (Tameka Butt 70'), Sarah Walsh, Kate Gill (Victoria Balomenos 87')
Substitutes not used: Elise Kellond-Knight, Amber Neilson, Renee Rollason,
Unavailable: Lyndsay Glohe, Lisa De Vanna
Cautions: Munoz 41'
The Matildas squad for the three-match series against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast is:
Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)
Defenders – Lyndsay Glohe (Sydney), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
Midfielders – Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Elise Kellond-Knight (Brisbane), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle), Renee Rollason (Sydney), Sally Shipard (Brisbane)
Forwards – Victoria Balomenos (Adelaide), Joanne Burgess (Brisbane), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lisa De Vanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Sarah Walsh (Sydney)
(current home city)
Fixtures:
Australia v New Zealand 2-0
Saturday 1 March
Australia v New Zealand 2-1
Monday 3 March
Australia v New Zealand 4-2
Wednesday 5 March
In a match marred by high winds, the visitors held a 2-1 half time advantage however a second half double from long-serving skipper Cheryl Salisbury helped ensure Australia claim a clean sweep of the series after earlier 2-0 and 2-1 wins for the FIFA Women's World Cup quarter finalists.
The win also extended Australia's remarkable winning streak against the Kiwis to 14 matches dating back to 1994.
AFC Women's Player of the Year nominee Collette McCallum opened the scoring in just the ninth minute scoring direct from an inswinging corner that deceived the goalkeeper.
New Zealand equalised just four minutes later through Merissa Smith, before taking a shock lead seconds prior to half time through captain Hayley Moorewood.
Australia restored parity 13 minutes into the second period, and this time it was the home skipper getting her name on the scoresheet, with Salisbury finishing with confidence from the penalty spot after a handball.
The Matildas however had to wait until five minutes from full time to regain the lead with against the spirited New Zealanders with Salisbury heading in a McCallum corner.
The dose was repeated in injury time with this time Clare Polkinghorne heading in her maiden goal for the Matildas from a Heather Garriock corner.
"The conditions made today extremely difficult to play good football with extreme winds, and also quite a firm pitch, so it certainly wasn't a pretty match," said coach Tom Sermanni.
"On the plus side we managed to score four goals against a very spirited New Zealand team, and held our discipline throughout even when we fell behind.
"The series was very beneficial giving us some quality time on the pitch together, and I also had the opportunity to blood some younger players at international level."
The Matildas are preparing for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup which will be held from May 28 – June 8, 2008, in a venue yet to be decided.
Match Details:
Australia 4 (Collette McCallum 9', Cheryl Salisbury 58' pen, 85', Clare Polkinghorne 91')
New Zealand 2 (Merissa Smith 13', Hayley Moorwood 46'+)
Matildas line-up: Melissa Barbieri (Lydia Williams h/t); Clare Polkinghorne, Cheryl Salisbury, Sally Shipard (Kim Carroll h/t), Karla Reuter (Ellen Beaumont h/t), Heather Garriock, Collette McCallum, Joanne Burgess (Amy Chapman 58'), Caitlin Munoz (Tameka Butt 70'), Sarah Walsh, Kate Gill (Victoria Balomenos 87')
Substitutes not used: Elise Kellond-Knight, Amber Neilson, Renee Rollason,
Unavailable: Lyndsay Glohe, Lisa De Vanna
Cautions: Munoz 41'
The Matildas squad for the three-match series against New Zealand on the Sunshine Coast is:
Goalkeepers – Melissa Barbieri (Melbourne), Lydia Williams (Canberra)
Defenders – Lyndsay Glohe (Sydney), Karla Reuter (Brisbane), Cheryl Salisbury (Newcastle), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
Midfielders – Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Heather Garriock (Sydney), Elise Kellond-Knight (Brisbane), Collette McCallum (Perth), Amber Neilson (Newcastle), Renee Rollason (Sydney), Sally Shipard (Brisbane)
Forwards – Victoria Balomenos (Adelaide), Joanne Burgess (Brisbane), Amy Chapman (Canberra), Lisa De Vanna (Perth), Kate Gill (Newcastle), Caitlin Munoz (Canberra), Sarah Walsh (Sydney)
(current home city)
Fixtures:
Australia v New Zealand 2-0
Saturday 1 March
Australia v New Zealand 2-1
Monday 3 March
Australia v New Zealand 4-2
Wednesday 5 March