Matildas roll over Kiwis

Matildas striker Walsh scored a goal in each half to take her tally to 31 from 67 appearances, the Sydney FC star making it back onto an international scoresheet for the first time in two years after persistent knee troubles.

The Football Ferns paid the price for a string of wasted opportunities at WIN Stadium, including two first-half chances that hit the crossbar during a dominant opening period.

Australia hit the Kiwis on the break when Ellyse Perry delivered a perfect cross for Walsh to head home from close range on 30 minutes.

Against a New Zealand squad, virtually at full strength as it builds up to the Olympics - with the team to head to Switzerland to continue preparations - a Matildas side devoid of a host of its first team players began to dominate.

New Zealand was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in first-half injury time when Thea Slatyer appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area, before Walsh blasted into the top left-hand corner early in the second period.

She was denied the opportunity of a hat-trick when replaced on 65 minutes, with coach Tom Sermanni giving several firing players a run late in the contest.

Next up for Australia is a meeting with world champion Japan in Tokyo on 11 July.