Tanaye Morris scored on her junior national team debut as the CommBank Young Matildas came from behind to draw 1-1 with New Zealand in Wellington.
Head Coach Leah Blayney made a total of five changes to the starting team from the last time that the Young Matildas took the pitch at the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup 2024 in March. Notably, Alicia Woods and Ella Buchanan made their Young Matildas debuts in midfield and defence respectively.
Australia started on the front foot. In particular, Kahli Johnson was incredibly productive up the left flank. It was her cross to Emilia Murray - on her return to the national team after missing the Asian Cup through injury - that created a fantastic opportunity only minutes into the game. Her header flashed wide.
However, it was New Zealand who scored first. Zoe McMeekan's cross proved difficult to deal with for Australia's defence, and a shot from Ruby Nathan squeezed its way over the line in the 10th minute.
Neither team were able to create clear-cut opportunities for the rest of the half in what was a mostly even affair. The best opportunity before the break came once again through the combination of Johnson and Murray. This time, Murray's powerfully struck header flew over the crossbar, and the Young Matildas went into the break trailing by a goal.
Half-time saw the introduction of another junior national team debutant in South Australian Tanaye Morris. She came onto the pitch alongside Australia's Asian Cup top goal scorer Peta Trimis and Georgia Cassidy, who replaced Emilia Murray, Jynaya Dos Santos and Alicia Woods.
There was a noticeable increase in tempo after the break as Australia chased the game. Trimis immediately set about making her presence felt, as did Indiana Dos Santos in midfield, whose stunning through ball to Johnson forced an early corner.
In the 59th minute, debutant Morris found the all-important breakthrough. A long-range through ball from Sasha Grove found the run of the striker, who made no mistake slotting it past New Zealand's goalkeeper to equalise.
⚽️ GOAL
Tanaye Morris get in behind the backline and levels the score.
🇳🇿 1-1 🇦🇺
📺📱💻: Football Australia's YouTube Channel & FIFA+ (Outside Australia)#GoAustralia pic.twitter.com/ybAS7CflHT
