The CommBank ParaMatildas kicked off the 2025 IFCPF Women’s Intercontinental Cup with a 5-1 win over Denmark, starting their tournament where they left off following last year's IFCPF Women's World Cup.
Head Coach Alicia Ferguson opted for a strong starting side to kick off the tournament, with Tahlia Blanshard captaining the side, and Carly Salmon, Trinity McPhie, Annmarie de Uriarte and Georgia Beikoff all making their first appearance since helping Australia to their World Cup triumph last year.
Australia started the stronger of the two sides, threatening goal on a number of occasions, but it would take almost 19 minutes for the team to open the scoring. Beikoff picked up the ball in the defensive half and played a lovely through ball to de Uriarte, who was unmarked inside the box, making no mistake going 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper.
de Uriarte didn't have to wait long to double her tally for the day. Blanshard did well to pressure the defence and forced a turnover, with de Uriarte pouncing on the loose ball to double Australia's advantage heading into the break.
Tamsin Colley entered the game to start the second half, replacing Blanshard in defence, and quickly made an impact, almost making it three for Australia if it wasn't for some last-ditch defending by Denmark.
Ferguson opted for another change as the half-hour mark passed, with Lainee Harrison coming on to replace Trinity McPhie. Denmark looked to have clawed a goal back, with Salmon making a stunning save to deny Emma Vejby Søhoel's attempt. Denmark's continued press would pay off, with Mintu Kurki picking the ball up in her defensive half and making a solo run up the field, firing her shot into the back of the net to halve the deficit.
Australia restored their two-goal lead moments later, with Lainee Harrison getting her first of the tournament, whipping in a dangerous corner that couldn't be dealt with, which snuck into the bottom corner.
de Uriarte had her hat-trick just one minute later, shrugging off two defenders and finishing from close range to make it 4-1. Karina Grigorian came on after the goal to replace de Uriarte, with Ferguson making her third and final change of the game.
Georgia Beikoff made it five in the final minute of regular time, dribbling past two defenders and finding the bottom corner. Australia now have a quick turnaround before their next game, taking on the Netherlands on Wednesday morning (12am AEST).
All matches will be live-streamed on the IFCPF YouTube channel and LSUTV (Loughborough Students' Union TV) YouTube channel.
Match Summary
Denmark: 1 (Mintu Kurki 39')
Australia: 5 (Annmarie de Uriarte 20' 22' 44', Lainee Harrison 43' & Georgia Beikoff 50')
Australia: 1. Carly Salmon (GK), 2. Trinity McPhie (5. Lainee Harrison 31'), 3. Tahlia Blanshard (C) (11. Tamsin Colley 26'), 8. Annmarie de Uriarte (4. Karina Grigorian 45'), 10. Georgia Beikoff
Netherlands v CommBank ParaMatildas
Date: Tuesday, 19 August 2025 / Wednesday, 20 August 2025 (AEST)
Time: 3:00pm BST (Local) / 12:00am AEST
Broadcast: IFCPF YouTube Channel
Nepal v CommBank ParaMatildas
Date: Wednesday, 20 August 2025 / Thursday, 21 August 2025 (AEST)
Time: 3:00pm BST (Local) / 12:00am AEST
Broadcast: IFCPF YouTube Channel
CommBank ParaMatildas v USA
Date: Friday, 22 August 2025 / Saturday, 23 August 2025 (AEST)
Time: 3:00pm BST (Local) / 12:00am AEST
Broadcast: IFCPF YouTube Channel