Key events
Many said the Asian Cup was the last chance for the senior Matildas to get their hands on some elusive silverware, but in the final Sam Lewis saw a spark that wasn’t ready to be snuffed out.
Quick refresher on the Asian Cup final in March.
The Matildas had Japan on the back foot for long periods of the decider in Sydney, as Jack Snape reported, but their late, desperate flurry of shots were scuffed, saved and blocked to end in a narrow defeat.
The packed calendar and long Asian Cup path has resulted in some of the Matildas’ best players sitting this series out.
Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter and Katrina Gorry will take the opportunity to rest, while Steph Catley had to withdraw due to injury.
Otherwise, Sam Kerr leads the near full-strength squad with stalwarts Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold also making the trip.
Preamble
Jo Khan
G’day and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the women’s Fifa Series match between Australia and Malawi. Jo Khan with you for the minute-by-minute action from Nairobi (the action, not me).
It feels like the Matildas’ Asian Cup final against Japan was just last week. In fact, that heartbreaking 1-0 loss was only three weeks ago, which is not a long time between international windows. You have to feel for the European players in particular who have ridiculously busy club schedules on top of the long flights. At least the trip to Kenya is easier than coming all the way back to Australia mid-season. Along with the host nation, India are the other team in the series, with those sides playing each other later on Saturday.
Everything is about the journey to the 2027 World Cup now, hence why Joe Montemurro has brought a near-full strength side into camp instead of testing fresh legs, he says. The Matildas have never played tournament football in Africa, and last played an African nation in their 6-5 win over Zambia at the Paris Olympics. They have also never played Malawi, so it will be a test of their adaptability as much as consistency after the Asian Cup.
It is forecast to hit a top of 27C in Nairobi today, right on the 2pm kick-off time at Nyayo National Stadium (9pm AEST), and there might be a few showers around too.
Get in touch with me via email if you have any thoughts to share: jo.khan@theguardian.com.
Let’s get into it!