The CommBank Matildas have drawn 1-1 with Slovenia at HBF Park in Perth to complete series one of two in this international window.
Michelle Heyman scored early in the second half before Mirjam Kastelec equalised in stoppage time for Slovenia.
Head Coach Joe Montemurro made six changes to the team that defeated the same opposition 3-0 on Thursday evening. Mackenzie Arnold started in goals for the first time since February, while Remy Siemsen started for only the fourth time in her career, the first since 2023.
Kyra Cooney-Cross, Michelle Heyman, Charli Grant and Kaitlyn Torpey were the other players who came into the side.
Australia started the game brightly, looking more incisive and having more of an ability to play through the Slovenian press that had caused a number of issues in game one.
Ellie Carpenter was vital to the team’s efforts on the right-hand side. In the 14th minute, she broke away and found space in behind the Slovenian defence. Her cross to Heyman was just cleared away.
Five minutes later, Heyman found Amy Sayer in the penalty area with a little ball in behind. Sayer’s cutback found Kaitlyn Torpey, who wasn’t able to get the decisive touch.
Kyra Cooney-Cross gave fans a reminder of her quality midway through the half. Picking up the ball deep inside her own half, she danced through the Slovenian press, leaving a number of defenders in her wake. Her direct pass found Heyman, whose powerful strike from outside the penalty area was just high and wide.
The match was scoreless at half-time, but it was an incredibly positive half from Australia. The quick one-two passing was making inroads into the Slovenian defence, and it only seemed like a matter of time before the home side would break through.
The deadlock was broken five minutes into the second half. Siemsen played a great ball in behind for Ellie Carpenter, whose lofted cross found Heyman. Heyman’s volley was struck perfectly, nestling into the corner of the net and giving Australia a well-deserved lead.
Slovenia had chances of their own after the break. Captain Mateja Zver found space one-on-one with Mackenzie Arnold not long after Heyman’s goal, but was not able to place it past the goalkeeper.
Australia’s first changes came in the 65th minute when Thursday night goalscorers Holly McNamara and Hayley Raso entered play. They replaced Kaitlyn Torpey and Michelle Heyman.
Courtney Nevin and Chloe Berryhill entered ten minutes later, replacing Ellie Carpenter and Remy Siemsen.
The Matildas had their chances to double their lead, and Slovenia were forced into a goal-line clearance in the 78th minute – but they just weren’t able to find that second goal that may have been decisive.
Emily Gielnik and Alana Murphy were the final changes late in regulation time, replacing Amy Sayer and Alanna Kennedy.
Slovenia were rewarded for their industrious work in defence with opportunities that opened up in the dying minutes. In the first minute of stoppage time, a shot that deflected off the post found the run of Mirjam Kastalec. The Slovenian number 9 put the finish away and earned her side a draw as a result.
Regardless of the late goal, the CommBank Matildas will take heart from a promising performance, with lots to build on in the upcoming series against Panama.
