Matildas vs. Korea Republic: Emily van Egmond gets Matildas on the board in tough friendly

The Matildas have ended a three-game losing run with a 1-0 victory over the Korea Republic in Sydney as the interim coaching spell of Tom Sermanni draws to a close.

The Matildas have ended a three-game losing run with a 1-0 victory over the Korea Republic in Sydney as the interim coaching spell of Tom Sermanni draws to a close.

Played in front of another bumper Matildas crowd of 37,199 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia controlled large periods of the game despite missing a host of star names to end a barren run of recent form.

The result also serves as a mental boost against a major rival in their region ahead of next year’s critical Asian Cup on home soil.

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After a first half that contained several half chances, Australia finally grasped the advantage, that they had threatened to take all night, ten minutes after half-time.

An excellent counter attack was led by Caitlin Foord, who while sporting a bloody nose after a first half head knock, opted to play in Emily Van Egmond down the left-hand side.

The midfield veteran’s cross put the Korean’s under pressure and was flicked inside the visitors own back post by for an own goal by Lim Seonjoo.

Emily van Egmond celebrates her role in what was the winning goal. Picture: Getty Images

Korea rarely troubled the Matildas defence but Liverpool goalkeeper Teagan Micah made a superb stop in the 86th minute, low to her right, to save a certain equaliser that was tracking towards the bottom corner.

One of the Matildas major star acts in Mary Fowler started the game on the bench amid conditioning concerns but her plethora of adoring fans were treated to a classy cameo late on.

The 22-year-old demonstrated her usual array of skill by swivelling past two opponents in the 78th minute only for her shot to slide just wide, sparking an early celebration from Sermanni himself that had to be quickly quelled.

Five minutes later she would conjure up another moment of brilliance with her goal bound strike well blocked by the Korean defence.

Caitlin Foord will likely need surgery on a broken nose, but played big minutes in the win. Picture: AP Photo

ONE MORE UNTIL THE JOE SHOW?

The final game of Tom Sermanni’s interim reign as Matildas coach could well come on Monday night in Newcastle in the second friendly against Korea.

The permanent replacement is widely expected to be Aussie Joe Montemurro who is currently with French giants Lyon – the club of Ellie Carpenter.

They’re still in the European Champions League semi-finals but the Matildas next game is after the end of the European season against Argentina in Melbournemeaning Montemurro could well be in the hotseat for those encounters.

The only other person linked strongly to the job is Western United manager and Socceroos great John Aloisi.

STAR STUDDED SIDELINE

Sam Kerr was among the Matildas’ sidelined stars. Picture: Getty Images

There were big Matildas personalities everywhere you looked on the sidelines at Allianz Stadium.

Sam Kerr was the largest of them all, naturally as she linked up with the squad this week while continuing her rehabilitation from a knee injury.

European stars Carpenter, Hayley Raso and Mackenzie Arnold were also sidelined as they avoided inflaming their existing injuries with a crucial part of their European seasons to be played out.

Man City star Fowler started the game on the bench in order to protect her workloads.

Mary Fowler gets a shot away for the Matildas. Picture: Getty Images

PIONEERS HONOURED

There was a poignant moment before the game with the 1975 Matildas recognised on the field prior to kick-off.

They took part in an Asian tournament and are now recognised as the first group of players to represent the women’s national team.

There is controversy surrounding the move though from former players amid calls that were was no formal selection process that took place and that nearly all of the players were members of the same Sydney club, St George Budapest.

Relive the action below.