The home side struck in the 10th minute through Caitlin Foord and then saw off a spirited second-half showing from New Zealand before sealing the match with a 20-metre screamer from Kyah Simon in the 79th minute and a third from Leena Khamis five minutes from fulltime.
“We had some good spells but Aussie were the better team, there’s not much doubt about that,” New Zealand coach John Herdman said. “They are very good at showing you why they are Asian champions.”
Hannah Wilkinson had a great chance to put New Zealand back on level terms 25 minutes into the match but put her shot over the bar on a day when the Matildas were more physical and showed more of a ruthless streak.
“They were very clinical. They scored two goals we could’ve dealt with better and one which was absolutely world class. That’s our challenge and either the wrong decisions or a lack of quality lets us down. What’s going to be key when we get into these games is to score first and stay in the game.”
“We had a great spell in the second half and looked like we were going to get something but the opportunities went and when they did the Aussies punished us. We had a very good chance to equalise early on and then a couple of half chances throughout the game but at times when got into some good positions and just took the wrong option.
“There are some things we can work on which will just make things tougher for Aussie on Sunday. On the road to the World Cup we’ll take some positives out of that and three or four key learnings into the next game.”
New Zealand play Australia again on Sunday and their chances will be boosted by the return of WPS Rookie of the Year Ali Riley who is still in doubt after missing Thursday’s match with a hamstring strain.
On a brighter note, there were personal milestones for Katie Bowen, who made her senior debut, and captain Rebecca Smith who played her 50th ‘A’ international.
Sunday’s match will be broadcast delayed on Sky Sport 3 from 8.30pm.
Trans-Tasman International
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford, Australia
Australia 3 (Caitlin FOORDE 10’, Kyah SIMON 79’, Leena KHAMIS 85’)
New Zealand 0
Halftime: 1-0
New Zealand: Jenny BINDON (gk), Hannah WALL (Katie BOWEN 46’), Abby ERCEG, Rebecca SMITH (c), Anna GREEN, Hayley MOORWOOD (Olivia CHANCE 80’), Kirsty YALLOP (Katie HOYLE 46’), Ria PERCIVAL (Rosie WHITE 65’), Betsy HASSETT, Amber HEARN (Sarah GREGORIUS 85’), Hannah WILKINSON (Emma KETE 65’).
Substitutes not used: Aroon CLANSEY (rgk), Hannah BROMLEY, Sarah McLAUGHLIN, Ali RILEY.
Coach: John HERDMAN
Australia & China Tour – Remaining Matches
New Zealand v Australia
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford, Australia
Sunday May 15, 3pm (5pm NZT)
Coverage on Sky Sport 3 from 8.30pm
New Zealand v China
Jinan, China
Wednesday May 18, 3.30pm (7.30pm NZT)
FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011
New Zealand v Japan
Bochum, Germany
Monday June 27, 3pm (1am June 28 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
New Zealand v England
Dresden, Germany
Monday July 1, 6.15pm (4.15am July 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
New Zealand v Mexico
Sinsheim, Germany
Monday July 5, 6.15pm (4.15am July 6 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz