Australia have defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in their second match of the 2017 Algarve Cup in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal.

A first half brace from Emily Gielnik and an Alanna Kennedy header saw Australia take a handy lead into the break before the Netherlands mounted a second half fight back with goals from Vivianne Miedema and Sherida Spitse.

Australia started the match slowly with the Euro 2017 hosts the Netherlands getting on top in the midfield through Daniëlle van de Donk.

The Dutch had an early look at Lydia Williams' goal in the third minute with the custodian forced to smother a free kick.

Van der Donk was again playmaker in the 10th minute when she played through Lieke Martens only for the forward to shoot wide.

Netherlands were made to pay for the missed chances a quarter of an hour in when Gielnik swung in a ball from a corner into the left front post for the opener.

https://twitter.com/WoSoComps/status/837740061449912320

On the half hour Gielnik repeated the dose when Alex Chidiac was fouled on the edge of the area.  The Brisbane Roar winger stepped up and executed perfectly, finding the top corner of Loes Guerts' goal.

https://twitter.com/WoSoComps/status/837750583511683073

Five minutes from the break, Dutch star Miedema looked to pull one back but her effort canned over the crossbar.  Instead it was Australia to adda third on the shadows of half time.

This time it was Steph Catley with the pinpoint ball and Kennedy who rose high with a thumping header to give the Aussies a 3-0 lead at the interval.

https://twitter.com/WoSoComps/status/837752167364767746

Early in the second half the Matildas speed brigade almost combined for a fourth as Caitlin Foord dribbled through the midfield, laid off to Sam Kerr whose shot was blocked by the on-rushing Guerts.

A minute later Guerts was called on again when milestone maker Katrina Gorry produced an excellent first touch volley but Geurts dove to make the save and keep the Dutch in the game.

It was Australia's turn to rue their missed chances as the Van de Sanden's cross found Miedema just outside of the 18 yard area.  The Bayern Munich forward showed her clinical finishing, placing past Williams.

Two minutes later the Australian nerves went into high drive as Spitse rocketed home a stunning free kick to pull the Netherlands within one.

The last 15 minutes was a case unnerved defensive clears as the Dutch pressed for an equaliser.  Deep in injury time Williams was called upon to make a clutch save and preserve Australia's lead and three points.

The Matildas next take on AFC compatriots China in the final group match on Monday, 6 March 2017 (Tuesday, 7 March Australian time).

MATCH DETAILS

Australia         3 (Gielnik 16/30', Kennedy 45')

Netherlands   2 (Miedema 75', Spitse 78')

3 March 2015

VRS António Sports Complex, Vila Real de Santo António

Kick off: 15:00 local (4 March 2017 – 2.00am AEDT)

Australia line up: 1. Lydia Williams, 3. Clare Polkinghorne, 7. Steph Catley, 8. Elise Kellond-Knight (10. Emily van Egmond 31’), 9. Caitlin Foord (11. Lisa De Vanna 70’), 14 Alanna Kennedy, 15. Emily Gielnik. 16. Hayley Raso, 19.. Katrina Gorry, 20. Samantha Kerr (17/ Kyah Simon 69’), 21 Alex Chidiac

Yellow Card: Katrina Gorry 10', Steph Catley 76'

Netherlands line up: 2. Desiree van Lunteren, 3. Stefanie van der Gragt (17. Kelly Zeeman 65’), 4. Mandy van den Berg (C), 6. Anouk Dekker (8. Sherida Spitse 65’), 7. Shanice Van de Sanden, 9. Vivianne Miedema, 10. Daniëlle van de Donk (13. Renate Jansen 68’), 11. Lieke Martens, 18. Jackie Groenen (34. Sisca Folkertsma 84’), 23. Loes Geurts (GK), 29. Siri Worm (15. Kika van Es 85’)

Yellow Card: Shanice Van de Sanden 29’