A double from St Louis Athletica striker Sarah Walsh put the Matildas firmly in control of the match with goals the 24th and 53rd minutes while fellow Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) professional Lisa De Vanna made sure of the victory with Australia’s third goal five minutes from fulltime.
A recent run of close results against their rivals away from home had built hope that the Ferns might snap an 18-match trans-Tasman losing streak in their first home game in three years, but they now find themselves needing to lift gears when the series concludes at Bill McKinlay Park on Saturday afternoon.
“I’m very, very disappointed,” Herdman said.
“I think there’ll be some pretty upset and embarrassed players in our camp tonight. That isn’t the type of performance that this team puts on. They’ll be gutted because they’re much better than that.
“The key thing that was missing that was the bite. The Aussies out-battled us in every area of the pitch. In the second half we came out with a bit more energy but that first half was women against girls. They set their stall out and left a mark on every single one of our players.”
The pace of De Vanna and Walsh on the flanks of a three-pronged Australian attack proved a constant menace for a young New Zealand backline missing overseas-professionals Rebecca Smith and Ali Riley and where the oldest player was just 20 years old.
“Whenever you miss Rebecca Smith and Ali Riley it makes a hell of a difference. You’re going out there with 17 and 18 year olds in your back four against three of the most experienced strikers in women’s football.”
“It’s not an easy task but I thought young [fullback] Hannah Wall was a different gear tonight. I’m really proud of some of those younger players, but we definitely need more from our senior players.”
New Zealand gave away possession from a lazy defensive free kick and Heather Garriock took advantage by feeding Walsh at the back post to lash the visitors into the lead.
Walsh added her second eight minutes into the second half finishing a swift counter-attacking movement she started herself, meeting a cross from the elusive De Vanna with a delicate flick past standout Ferns goalkeeper Jenny Bindon.
De Vanna then grabbed one for herself with a deft lob over Bindon and defenders from close range to cap an impressive display.
New Zealand’s homecoming was further dampened when captain Hayley Moorwood was sent off for her second yellow card near full time.
She will now miss Saturday’s match but that may create room in midfield for Annalie Longo who added spark and impetus as a second half substitute.
While Hannah Wilkinson was industrious on her senior debut and created New Zealand’s best chance early in the game, the impact of Oceania Women’s Player of the Year Rosie White off the bench has given Herdman plenty of food for thought for Saturday.
The return of American-based pro Ali Riley gives the Football Ferns a much needed boost for Saturday, although Herdman suggested the side would not lack motivation in their last match before departing for the Cyprus Cup.
“There’ll be no trouble getting them up for the next one. No trouble at all.”
New Zealand: 0
Australia: 3 (Sarah Walsh 24, 53; Lisa De Vanna 85)
Halftime: 0-1
North Harbour Stadium
Albany, Auckland
Crowd: 1853
New Zealand: 1-Jenny BINDON (GK), 2-Ria PERCIVAL, 5-Abby ERCEG, 13-Bridgette ARMSTRONG, 15-Hannah WALL (16-Emma KETE 75), 4-Katie HOYLE (3-Anna GREEN 67), 12-Betsy HASSETT (10-Annalie LONGO 57), 8-Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain), 11-Kirsty YALLOP, 9-Amber HEARN, 17-Hannah WILKINSON (14-Rosie WHITE 57).
Substitutes not used: 18-Kristy HILL, 20-Aroon CLANSEY (RGK).
Coach: John Herdman
Cautions: Abby ERCEG, Hayley MOORWOOD
Red Cards: Hayley MOORWOOD
Australia: 1-Melissa Barbieri (GK / Captain), 5-Lauren Colthorpe, 6-Servet Uzunlar, 13-Thea Slatyer (15-Sally Shipard 46), 16-Elise Kellond-Knight, 14-Collette McCallum (27-Aivi Luik 72), 4-Clare Polkinghorne (10-Kylie Ledbrook 77), 7-Heather Garriock, 9-Sarah Walsh (22-Samantha Kerr 66), 12-Kathryn Gill (19-Leena Khamis 66), 11-Lisa De Vanna.
Substitutes not used: 17-Tameka Butt, 17-Kyah Simon, 18-Lydia Williams (RGK), 23-Kim Carroll.
Coach: Tom Sermanni
Match Two
Bill McKinlay Park
Panmure, Auckland
Saturday 20 February
Kickoff: 3pm