Matildas attacker Caitlin Foord is looking forward to Australia’s final two games of the year, as they take on New Zealand in the last international window of 2025.
The Matildas face their local rivals twice over the weekend to close out their year.
Australia excited for New Zealand double header
Foord discussed all things New Zealand ahead of the first game this weekend, as they face their oldest rivals in a classic.
“What are we expecting from New Zealand? I mean, it’s always a tough game when we play New Zealand,” she said.
“You know, there’s that rivalry there already. These are games we want to win, and it’s always very difficult. So yeah, it’s going to be a tough game.”
New Zealand and Australia have faced off 50 times in their history, with the country’s playing each other more than any other nation.
Last time the Matildas played their rivals they did come out on top. The nation’s haven’t actually played each other in three years, so the upcoming two games are highly anticipated by both sets of fans and players.
“The last game we scored very late to win it, so it went down to the end,” Foord continued. “I think they go very man on man. So it will be difficult, and we have to kind of create our own space.”
🗣️ “These are our last two games to prepare before the Asian Cup, so they’re super important. We want to get as much out of them as possible – and that includes two wins.”
🇦🇺 v 🇳🇿 28.11.25 – 7:30pm AEDT
📺💻📱 @ParamountPlusAU#Matildas #FeelNewSouthWales @NewSouthWales— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 26, 2025
“We’ve seen they can score goals as well, so we have to be tight at the back and hopefully just create a lot more than what they can.”
Australia have a much better record than their rivals in the head to head, having won the last three meetings against New Zealand.
Personal pride for Caitlin Foord
The two games against New Zealand have extra emotional value for Foord who made her debut against the Football Ferns back in 2011. Foord scored on her debut for the Matildas at the age of just 16.
“I always look forward to coming into camp putting on the green and gold. These are our last two games to prep before the Asian Cup. So yeah, they’re super important for us,” Foord said.
“We want to get as much out of them as possible and that includes two wins as well.”
The 31-year-old has 138 international caps for the Matildas with 39 goals and she is one of the most iconic players still playing for her nation.
