New Zealand’s U-20 women have completed an unbeaten two-match series against the Young Matildas in Australia as their build-up to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup continues.
The New Zealanders drew the opening match 1-1 in the behind closed doors match at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra on Wednesday May 20.
Australia had opened the scoring in the first half before Mikaela Bangalan scored an 85th-minute equaliser, and earned New Zealand a share of the result.
Photo: Aptitude Soccer Pictures via New Zealand Football
The sides met again at the same venue on Saturday May 23, with the second match finishing 0-0.
The matches were arranged as part of New Zealand’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland this September.
The 24-player squad included 16 members of the New Zealand U-19 squad that qualified for the World Cup after winning the OFC Women’s U-19 Championship in Tahiti last year.
Head coach Callum Holmes said before the series the matches against Australia would help the team continue its preparation for Poland.
New Zealand have been drawn to face Italy, Japan and the United States in the group stage at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Results
Games played at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra
Wednesday May 20, 2026
Australia U-20 1 (Peta Trimis)
New Zealand U-20 1 (Mikaela Bangalan 85’)
Saturday May 23, 2026
Australia U-20 0
New Zealand U-20 0
This story was first published on May 26, 2026.