Lucky Emily van Egmond cross breaks Matildas' losing streak as Tom Sermanni manages injury ward

A lucky cross by Emily van Egmond has broken the Matildas rocky start to the new season as Australia's most beloved team claimed a 1-0 victory over South Korea.

The Matildas took to the field at Allianz Stadium in search of their first win of the season without a cast of major stars as they faced a fierce, higher-ranked Korean outfit.

Tom Sermanni was dealt three brutal injuries blows just a day out from the home clash, though still opted to rest star forward Mary Fowler in the opening half.

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But an error in communication by Korean defenders saw Australia gifted the solitary goal of the match as rival keeper Kim Minjung deflected the ball into the back of the net.

Van Egmond put a cross into the box but the ball failed to meet the foot of any of her teammates.

However, it was in line to bounce into the goal in front of Minjung, who desperately attempted to bat the ball away but was left to watch it hit the net.

Having struggled to find consistency across the field until the goal, Australia began to find momentum as Minjung was put to the test.

Australia continued to work on building their chemistry as they shifted momentum back into their favour, with Fowler unlucky to find a second goal for her team.

The victory was a promising sign for the Matildas given their recent rough run.

But the win did not come without several injury scares for interim coach Sermanni.

Caitlin Foord was left down on the turf bleeding after a head clash with Choe Yu-ri in the 23rd minute.

Medical staff were immediately called to the field to provide treatment to Foord, who appeared to be having a nose bleed.

The incident prompted the crowd to fall silent as Sermanni, who had a high-profile casualty ward watching on around him, alerted Fowler to begin warming up.

All concern was quickly diffused as Foord returned to her feet to play on.

But Sermanni's injury concerns did not end with Foord as Holly McNamara was helped off the field during stoppage time before the break.

McNamara was caught under Lim Seonjoo in a tackle attempt as the Australian young gun appeared to lose her footing and hit the turf.

Seonjoo followed her rival to the floor after the collision, falling on top of McNamara before rolling out of the incident.

The challenge was with no foul intent by McNamara, prompting the referee to raise a yellow card towards Seonjoo.

McNamara took some time to return to her feet as she was seen holding her head while speaking with medical staff.

Korea looked to put Teagan Micah to the test in goal as they placed two from four shots on target in the opening 30 minutes.

Clinical errors and inability to make clear passes seemed to be halting the Matildas moment as Foord began to look for a way to revitalise the spirits of her team.

McNamara teamed up with the Arsenal star in attempt to hit back at Korea Republic late in the half but her efforts were denied by goalkeeper Kim Minjung.

Foord followed McNamara's shot with two attempts at goal but could not find the power to pass the ball into the back of the net.