The Matildas have claimed a series win over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand with a 2-1 victory on the Sunshine Coast in game two of the three-match series.

Despite the narrow scoreline, Australia were deserved winners laying siege to the Kiwi goal for lengthy periods of the second half and were unlucky to not claim a greater winning margin.

Kate Gill opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before New Zealand's Emma Kete equalised five minutes before the interval.

Canberra-based striker Amy Chapman scored the winner and her first goal for the national team two minutes into the second half.

Inspirational midfielder Collette McCallum was the provider for both goals, Gill finishing with a neat low 20-metre drive, and then Chapman scoring with a smart close-range volley from a pinpoint McCallum cross.

The second half saw Matildas striker Sarah Walsh twice denied by the woodwork, while Kiwi goalkeeper Jenny Bindon made a number of outstanding saves including a fingertip effort to prevent a Cheryl Salisbury header from crossing the line.

Coach Tom Sermanni was again limited with the amount of experienced players available and seven players took the field with two international caps or less to their name.

The only debutant was Queensland Academy of Sport athlete Brooke Spence, who last year captained Australia to the world softball under-19 championship.

Spence is following in the footsteps of Ellyse Perry who debuted for the Matildas last August and has since represented Australia in cricket.

"I'm very happy to win the game, though I felt we should have scored more goals given the number of chances we had and I also felt that the score didn't reflect the quantity of goalscoring opportunities we created," said Sermanni.

"However I'm very pleased with the way we performed considering the number of changes to the team and the number of young players on the field.

"These games continue to be of great benefit, and allowed some players the opportunity to show me what they can do at this level."

Australia, who won the first match on Saturday 2-0, will meet New Zealand again in the final match of the series on Wednesday.

The Matildas are preparing for the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup which will be held from May 28-June 8 this year in a venue yet to be decided.

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