Fowler on target as Matildas down South Korea

The injury-hit hosts needed an own goal to bank a 1-0 friendly win against the visitors in Sydney on Friday, but were more assertive in front of a 28,000-strong crowd at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium.

Fowler put them one up just before the break, with an own goal from Lim Seon-joo doubling the lead in the 63rd minute. It was another confidence-booster for a side that has tumbled to 16th in the world after the euphoria of making the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup on home soil.

With superstar Sam Kerr watching from the stands as she continues to recuperate from a serious knee injury, the Koreans proved lively at the start and dominated territory. But Australia held firm and slowly settled.

The chances were few and far between until Emily van Egmond threaded a ball through to Fowler in the box, and she took one touch before rifling home in the 43rd minute.

The introduction of feisty Arsenal midfielder Caitlin Foord at half-time added an extra spark, and she went close to making it 2-0 soon after the restart, with her near-range shot well stopped by goalkeeper Kim Min-jung.

Foord was in the thick of the action and hit the bar in a goalmouth scramble before Kaitlyn Torpey pounced on the rebound, with her shot taking a deflection off Lim into the net.

The match could have been interim coach Tom Sermanni's last in charge, with Football Australia set to announce a permanent senior coach soon. Lyon's Joe Montemurro is seen as the frontrunner.