Football Ferns' long winless streak against Australia continues in Cup of Nations opener

Rosie White lines up a shot during the Cup of Nations Women's Football match against the Matildas. Photo / Photosport

The Football Ferns have begun their inaugural Cup of Nations campaign with a defeat, going down 2-0 to Australia on Thursday night at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.

The Tom Sermanni-coached team, who were looking to beat their transtasman rivals for the first time since 1994, competed well for long periods in front of nearly 7000 parochial fans.

But the Matildas had the better of the chances throughout, while the Ferns look to begin a new era under Sermanni after the turmoil of 2018.

The sixth-ranked team in the world scored right before half-time, Emily Gielnik latching on to a partially-cleared ball and hammering home with New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler stranded.

Australia could have opened the scoring earlier in the first half when Alanna Kennedy's bending free kick ricocheted off the crossbar.

The Kiwis battled valiantly for much of the match. The central defensive trio of Abby Erceg, Rebekah Stott and Meikayla Moore were resolute, while Nayler provided a safe pair of hands in goal.

The Olympique de Marseille custodian was playing in her 58th 'A' international for New Zealand and made two telling saves midway through the first half.

On 29 minutes, Sam Kerr's header was kept out superbly by Nayler with a one-handed save.

Five minutes later, Kerr went one-on-one with Nayler after a fast break but again the Kiwi stopper denied Kerr her first goal as captain of the Matildas.

New Zealand had fleeting chances at the other end with Sarah Gregorius fighting hard to get in behind and find space.

Hayley Raso celebrates after scoring during the Cup of Nations Women's Football match against New Zealand. Photo / Photosport

On the hour, New Zealand had their best opportunity to level the score when Gregorius was played in by Annalie Longo and lobbed goalkeeper Lydia Williams but her effort bounced just wide.

The Ferns kept pushing but Australia were more clinical with their chances.

Substitute Hayley Raso came into the game in the 63rd minute and scored a classy individual goal just 12 minutes later.

The Brisbane Roar winger found space in the box and hit a shot on the angle to beat Nayler in goal, sealing the result.

Sermanni made three changes as the clocked ticked down and Paige Satchell nearly made an impact off the bench, drawing a smart save from Williams at her near post.

The Ferns will look to bounce back in their second match of the Cup of Nations against Argentina at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Australia 2 (Emily Gilenik 44', Hayley Raso 74')
New Zealand 0
HT: 1-0