Live: McKenna shines in Matildas start with first half double against Haiti

It’s a different looking side than faced Germany, with changes to the mid and back lines. Charli Grant is back out on the park, while Leticia McKenna is on her starting debut. So, there’s a bit adjusting to that as they test out a different style of play.

Australia have had a slew of chances to get their second goal, but no golden opportunities as of yet. They have just five minutes to get back the lead otherwise they’ll go into half-time on equal ground with the side ranked 47th (Australia are 15th).

Haiti proving a fierce opposition at the moment.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 40 mintues

That was a big scare for the Matildas.

Haiti launched the ball towards the net, which got around Wini Heatley. In the quick scramble to get to it,  the ball travelled past Mackenzie Arnold and Charli Grant.

It was the woodwork who did the saving in the end, with the ball hitting the post before rebounding away.

That was a close one.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 36 mintues

Hayley Raso has copped the Matildas second yellow card of the game. It came amid a flurry of action near the Haiti goal, with it unclear what she did to earn it. Perhaps something was said in the scramble of challenges.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 34 mintues

Clare Wheeler held on the arm of Melchie Dumornay, stopping her from charging towards the goal. It earned her a yellow card.

Grace Gill on the broadcast noted: “She knew exactly what she was doing there, taking one for the team”.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 30 mintues

Hayley Raso got a great cross in, but it was well defended by Haiti. It was followed by a corner, this time taken by McKenna, which Sam Kerr got her head to, but it didn’t find the net.

Matildas searching for their second goal.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 28 mintues

Matildas are enjoying the lions share of the possession over in France, as they continue to create chances to goal. They’ve had a few good passages of play, but are yet to find a way through after that thrilling opening goal within the first 80 seconds.

However, Haiti are buoyed by the crowd, who are strongly in their favour. Everytime Haiti’s Dumornay in particular touches the ball, the crowd lightens right up.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 22 mintues

The Matildas are creating chances, they’ve had a slew of corners to test out their set pieces.

Courtney Nevin took the last one, which Sam Kerr got on the end of to have a ping, but was unsuccessful.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 18 mintues

Dumornay got close again around the Matildas’ goal but this time Australia were better prepared.

Possession now back with Australia.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 13 mintues

Haiti are moving the ball incredibly quickly. It’s how they scored their first goal through Dumornay.

When they get possession, they don’t waste a minute contemplating where to go, they just get on the charge.

The game has settled down after the chaotic start, with Matildas have more of the possession as they try and work their way back through their opposition defence.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, 10 mintues

Australia would have loved scoring that opening goal. Unforuntely, it also might have given them far too much confidence, as the Matildas’ defence conceded the equaliser within a minute later.

Australia are expecting to win this game comfortably. They need to be very careful not to be complacent here.

AUS 1 – 1 HAI, five minutes

Australia and Haiti are underway at Stade Walter-Luzi stadium in Chambly.

The Matildas fell to Germany in the first October friendly 4-2, while Haiti was defeated 5-1 by Japan.

Australia are ranked world number 15, while Haiti are world number 47.

So these are two teams hoping to find some redemption.

Australia suffered a a 4-2 defeat to an understrength Germany, handing them somewhat of a needed reality check with the Women’s World Cup next year.

Germany scored the opening two goals, before captain Sam Kerr’s had a header on the stroke of half-time to help the visitors close the deficit before the home team’s Camilla Kuver scored in the 83rd minute.

Striker Holly McNamara did find a late consolation goal for the Matildas, but Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nusken made sure the Europeans dealt the last blow.

After the defeat, Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro emphasised the importance of taking on different styles of play.

“Germany was a perfect test for us from that perspective, and we’ve got a lot of information. Haiti will give us another, different test. We’ll look at it from the perspective of what we need in terms of building that toolbox to know that we’re prepared for the World Cup,” he said to media on Monday.

“They’re very difficult to play. They’ve got some quality players, and they have some very, very good ideas. It’s more about our mentality approaching these games. But it’s also a good opportunity for me to try some new things.”