A new cycle for the CommBank Matildas has begun with a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in Zurich. A Caitlin Foord penalty saw Australia take the lead in the first half before the home side equalised in the second.
The match also saw the introduction of 18-year-old Daniela Galic, who became CommBank Matilda #229 with her first senior cap.
The starting lineup was one that has been largely familiar to CommBank Matildas fans over the last few years, with Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni not deviating too much from previous formulas.
Caitlin Foord was the point of attack with Mary Fowler and Kaitlyn Torpey alongside her. Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry anchored the midfield with Tameka Yallop, and Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy started in the heart of defence.
Sermanni flagged pre-match that Steph Catley’s minutes would be managed this window, opening the door for Courtney Nevin to start at left-back.
Both sides traded chances in the first half in what was a tight, tense affair.
Foord had the first real sight on goal in the 14th minute, but wasn’t able to wrap her boot around the ball to get a clean strike on target.
Switzerland’s Viola Calligaris found herself in front of Australia’s goal four minutes later, but her shot was tame, and comfortably collected by Mackenzie Arnold in goal.
Opportunities of a similar nature presented themselves for both teams before the game began to open up in the final few minutes of the half.
Arnold was forced into a fantastic save after Smilla Vallotto was played in behind the CommBank Matildas defence. She used her body well to save with her legs and keep the game scoreless.
Australia would capitalise moments later. A fantastic bending ball from Ellie Carpenter found the run of Foord, who only had the goalkeeper to beat.
Foord was prevented from having a shot after being brought down by Swiss ‘keeper Elvira Herzog. However, the Arsenal forward made no mistake in converting the penalty that she won, giving the CommBank Matildas the lead heading into the break.
Switzerland came out determined to equalise after the break in front of their home fans, turning up the pressure on Australia’s defence.
They found their breakthrough in the 58th minute. The ball fell to the feet of Geraldine Reuteler after ricocheting around Australia’s penalty area. The ball rocketed off the Eintracht Frankfurt defender’s boot, leaving Arnold with no chance, and the score was levelled at 1-1.
The 65th minute saw three changes for Sermanni’s side, with Michelle Heyman, Sharn Freier and Steph Catley entering the fray in place of Tameka Yallop, Courtney Nevin and Kaitlyn Torpey.
The changes saw somewhat of a momentum shift, with the best opportunity in this period coming from a Foord back post header after a pinpoint Cooney-Cross corner. Her effort looped just over the crossbar.
Youngster Daniela Galic was one of another three substitutes in the 78th minute, her first appearance as a CommBank Matilda in her first senior call-up. She became CommBank Matilda #229.
The other players introduced were Emily van Egmond and Clare Wheeler. Cooney-Cross, Gorry and Fowler were withdrawn.
There were late chances for both sides. Sharn Freier’s ball into the box had to be tipped away by Herzog as it threatened to creep into the back of the net.
One of Switzerland’s own substitutes Larina Baumann came close as well, her shot crashing off the crossbar as the game approached stoppage time.
In the end, neither side was able to find the decisive breakthrough, and the game ended with honours even.
The CommBank Matildas will now face Germany.
MATCH DETAILS
Switzerland 1 (Reuteler 58’)
Australia 1 (Foord 43’(p))
Date: Friday, 25 October 2024 (local) / Saturday, 26 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 8.00pm CET (local) / 5.00am (AEDT)
Venue: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
Broadcast: Paramount+
Attendance: 14,370
Australia Line Up: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2. Courtney NEVIN (7. Steph CATLEY 65’), 8. Kaitlyn TORPEY (32. Michelle HEYMAN 65’), 9. Caitlin FOORD, 11. Mary FOWLER (26. Daniela GALIC 78’), 13. Tameka YALLOP (24. Sharn FREIER 65’), 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 15. Clare HUNT, 19. Katrina GORRY (6. Clare WHEELER 78’), 21. Ellie CARPENTER, 23. Kyra COONEY-CROSS (10. Emily VAN EGMOND 78’)
Subs not used: 3. Winonah HEATLEY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 18. Jada WHYMAN, 22. Charli GRANT, 28. Chloe LINCOLN (gk)
Yellow card: Nil
Red card: Nil
Germany v CommBank Matildas
Date: Monday, 28 October 2024 (local) / Tuesday, 29 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 6.10pm CET (local) / 4.10am (AEDT)
Venue: Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: DFB Ticket Portal