Tanaye Morris scored on her junior national team debut as the CommBank Young Matildas came from behind to draw 1-1 with New Zealand in Wellington.
Head Coach Leah Blayney made a total of five changes to the starting team from the last time that the Young Matildas took the pitch at the AFC U20 Women鈥檚 Asian Cup 2024 in March. Notably, Alicia Woods and Ella Buchanan made their Young Matildas debuts in midfield and defence respectively.
Australia started on the front foot. In particular, Kahli Johnson was incredibly productive up the left flank. It was her cross to Emilia Murray 鈥 on her return to the national team after missing the Asian Cup through injury 鈥 that created a fantastic opportunity only minutes into the game. Her header flashed wide.
However, it was New Zealand who scored first. Zoe McMeekan鈥檚 cross proved difficult to deal with for Australia鈥檚 defence, and a shot from Ruby Nathan squeezed its way over the line in the 10th minute.
Neither team were able to create clear-cut opportunities for the rest of the half in what was a mostly even affair. The best opportunity before the break came once again through the combination of Johnson and Murray. This time, Murray鈥檚 powerfully struck header flew over the crossbar, and the Young Matildas went into the break trailing by a goal.
Half-time saw the introduction of another junior national team debutant in South Australian Tanaye Morris. She came onto the pitch alongside Australia鈥檚 Asian Cup top goal scorer Peta Trimis and Georgia Cassidy, who replaced Emilia Murray, Jynaya Dos Santos and Alicia Woods.
There was a noticeable increase in tempo after the break as Australia chased the game. Trimis immediately set about making her presence felt, as did Indiana Dos Santos in midfield, whose stunning through ball to Johnson forced an early corner.
In the 59th minute, debutant Morris found the all-important breakthrough. A long-range through ball from Sasha Grove found the run of the striker, who made no mistake slotting it past New Zealand鈥檚 goalkeeper to equalise.
鈿斤笍 GOAL
Tanaye Morris get in behind the backline and levels the score.
馃嚦馃嚳 1-1 馃嚘馃嚭
馃摵馃摫馃捇: 西瓜影视's YouTube Channel & FIFA+ (Outside Australia)鈥 西瓜影视 (@FootballAUS)
With the game poised at 1-1, both teams turned to their bench. Avaani Prakash was introduced for Australia in the 62nd minute 鈥 replacing Indiana Dos Santos 鈥 and was another lively figure, helping the Young Matildas continue their attacking momentum.
New Zealand remained a threat on the counter. Juliette Lucas found the back of the net after a piercing ball from McMeekan, but the goal was ruled out after fantastic defensive work from Alexia Apostalakis drew a foul.
The Young Matildas had the chance to win it in the last minutes of regulation time. Zara Kruger won the ball in a dangerous area as a result of an organised team press. She shot immediately, striking the crossbar, and Trimis' follow-up shot could only find the gloves of Kiwi goalkeeper Maddie Iro.
In the end, however, the entertaining game ended with honours shared. The teams will play again on Sunday behind closed doors as they continue their preparations for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup 2024.
Match Details
New Zealand U-20: 1
Australia U-20: 1 (Tanaye Morris 59')
International Friendly
Date: Thursday, 11 July 2024
Kick-off: 2:30pm (local) / 12.30pm (AEST)
Venue: Jerry Collins Stadium, Wellington
Australia U-20 XI: 1. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 2. Kahli Johnson, 3. Ella Buchanan, 5. Alicia Woods (6. Georgia Cassidy 45'), 8. Zara Kruger, 9. Indiana Dos Santos (7. Avaani Prakash), 10. Emilia Murray (23. Peta Trimis 45'), 13. Naomi Thomas-Chinnama, 17. Sasha Grove, 21. Alexia Apostolakis (C), 22. Jynaya Dos Santos (11. Tanaye Morris 45')
Substitutes not used: 4. Tegan Bertolissio, 12. Tahlia Franco (GK), 14. Jessika Nash, 15. Rosie Curtis, 16. Shay Hollman, 19. Madeline Caspers, 20. Emma Dundas, 24. Milan Hammond, 25. Lara Gooch & 25. Milly Boughton
Yellow Card: Apostolakis 40' & Cassidy 47'
Red Card: Nil
