Matildas overcome Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park in Joe Montemurro’s first match in charge

The Joe Montemurro Matildas era has begun in less than spectacular fashion, as the new coach’s side survived a scare to beat Slovenia 3-0 at HBF Park.

In front of 8678 fans, the Matildas took their tentative first steps under their new coach and their performance was one of a team learning a new identity.

Emily Gielnik’s third minute goal proved to be a fitting opener with the winger — one of Australia’s best on the night — turning home from a corner after the ball pinballed around the six-yard box.

But particularly in the second half, Slovenia were gifted multiple chances by the Matildas, but were unable to take advantage.

A late quickfire double gave the scoreline a bit of polish as Holly McNamara nodded home substitute Hayley Raso’s cross for her first international goal, and then Raso added a third a minute later.

It was not pretty at times and it certainly was not the free-flowing football Matildas fans would have liked, but Montemurro would have at least appreciated the intent to retain possession at his behest.

More worrying would have been defensive lapses which Slovenia failed to punish, which came either from Australian mistakes in possession or a failure to properly deal with attacking forays.

But Australia were able to keep a clean sheer and give their new coach’s reign a winning start, even if the scoreline flattered them.

Joe Montemurro’s emphasis on possession-based football and playing out from the back was evident as early as the second minute, with Alanna Kennedy hitting McNamara’s feet which led to Amy Sayer’s tantalising ball being diverted wide by Sara Agrez.

And from the resultant corner, Slovenia’s inability to clear their lines allowed Gielnik to stab home.

Australia’s commitment to keeping the ball came at a cost at times, with Clare Hunt almost caught in possession inside her own box shortly after Gielnik’s opener.

And most of Slovenia’s best chances came when they either pressed high and forced turnovers or pounced on loose passes in the Matildas’ own half; even though the hosts had 56 per cent of the ball in the opening 45, Slovenia had seven more final third entries.

Kaja Korosec shot wide in the 14th minute after Winonah Heatley lost possession and a minute later, Spela Kolbl’s chip bounced down off the bar and out.

When Australia were able to break the press, or turned their patient probing into something more meaningful, they attacked with venom.

Gielnik’s enterprising runs cause Slovenia problems, and her lovely pass to McNamara sent the Matildas forward, only for the former to spoon the ball over the bar from the edge of the box.

Ellie Carpenter was impressive down the right and should have made it 2-0 in the 24th minute when she raced onto McNamara’s perfect pass on a break from a corner.

But having rounded the goalkeeper, Carpenter then unselfishly laid off to Gielnik rather than shooting into the gaping goal, and a corner eventuated.

Australia’s looseness in possession continued after the break and almost cost them dearly, when Kennedy and Clare Hunt hesitated in clearing a long ball.

Under pressure, Hunt latter passed straight to an unmarked Zara Kramzar in the box only for the Slovenian to shoot directly at Teagan Micah.

Slovenia’s promising second half continued when Lara Prasniker turned Kennedy just outside the area, but once again, Micah was equal to the task.

Micah made her best save of the night to deny Nina Kajzba in the 62nd minute, before Erzen wasted another good opportunity and Prasnikar placed a shot just wide.

The pace of McNamara made her a threat on the break, and only a superb save by Zara Mersnik in goal prevented her from doubling Australia’s lead.

But the young gun got her goal at long last when Raso picked her out with a chip and the unmarked forward had the simplest of headers, before Raso found the net after a good run almost immediately after.