Sam Kerr’s fitness is again under the spotlight but the striker’s late withdrawal due to “calf tightness” had little effect on the Matildas who defeated New Zealand 5-0.
The result came as it was revealed star Wini Heatley bravely kept a personal tragedy from her teammates so as not to distract them from the task at hand.
Amy Sayer, Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter, Kyra Cooney-Cross — who scored spectacularly from 35 yards — and Katrina Gorry all got on the scoreboard in what was a much-improved performance from the Matildas.
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Kerr wasn’t the only player unavailable for the game, played in front of a sold out Polytec Stadium.
Alanna Kennedy was forced to watch from the stands — suspended after picking up a red card in the last match against England — paving the way for Wini Heatley’s inclusion in the centre back role.
It was a big ask of Heatley, given her brother passed away last week. The team wore black armbands to show their support, and Heatley didn’t put a step wrong all night.
The 24-year-old informed Matildas manager Joe Montemurro before the squad travelled home from Europe for the team’s final pair of matches this calendar year, but requested her teammates not be told until Thursday.
“She didn’t want to tell the group, she asked me to tell the group yesterday, because she didn’t want to distract everyone from the game,” Montemurro said.
“I’m getting goosebumps talking about that. That’s the sort of person that she is. She put the team first ahead of her personal situation, which would be tragic.
“For me, a person of that nature, a person with that mentality, with that character, is incredible.”
GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 28: Katrina Gorry of the Matildas celebrates scoring a goal during the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and New Zealand Football Ferns at Polytec Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Going into the match, Montemurro said there were no questions about Kerr’s fitness and she was available to play.
But Kerr did not warm up with the squad and instead sat on the bench for the whole match.
Montemurro confirmed the Chelsea striker was suffering from calf tightness.
Sayer didn’t waste the opportunity to impress – scoring the Matildas first goal of the night just 12 minutes after the opening whistle. It came off the back of a brilliant cross from Katrina Gorry.
Matildas were all about the attack tonight – anytime they opted to cave to the Football Ferns press and go backwards Montemurro was on the sideline urging them to go forward.
The second goal came a little over 10 minutes after the first -a poor touch from a New Zealand defender gifted the ball to Raso and she had time to wrap it up and tie it with a ribbon before sending it flying past Ferns keeper Anna Leat.
The half time score could have had an extra two or even three goals to it had the Matildas been able to capitalise on every chance created by hard working midfielders Gorry and Cooney-Cross.
Tillies strike early in Gosford! | 00:48
Football Ferns upped the intensity in the second half but the Matildas defenders were able to keep pace and keeper Mackenzie Arnold proved to have a safe set of hands.
The combination of Caitlin Foord and Sayer blossomed as the night progressed but they were just missing the ability to bury the ball in the net.
Raso, Sayer and Nevin made way at the 60 minute mark for Kaitlyn Torpey, Holly McNamara and Michelle Heyman.
Ten minutes after entering the game Heyman had a chance to score but missed the ball – it landed at Carpenter’s feet and she had no problem putting it away.
Moments later Cooney-Cross smashed one in from just past halfway – which had the fans on their feet.
“She is just pure football, when she is playing you sit and watch,” Andy Harper said in commentary.
Tameka Yallop, Clare Wheeler and Remy Siemsen also got on the pitch late in the match.
To add to New Zealand’s pain Gorry scored a fifth goal with just minutes left on the clock – followed a great break away run from Wheeler.
Catley had a chance to make it six but wasn’t able to convert the late penalty.
Carpenter pulled out some fancy footwork to save a ball that got past Arnold off the line to keep a clean sheet.
It was certainly an improved performance from the Matildas 3-0 loss to England last window.
But Montemurro will still have improvements to make before the Matildas take on New Zealand for their final match before next year’s Asian Cup in Adelaide on Tuesday.
