by Ella McShane (4/7/25)
Above: Matildas boss Joe Montemurro speaking to the media earlier today. Image: Football Australia.
Having had just under a year since their last major tournament at the Olympics, the introduction of new tactics and players has highlighted the depth of the current Matildas squad.
With the Asian Cup now on the horizon, Montemurro expressed his intention to provide everyone invited into camp with a chance to prove themselves. “There (are) no fringe players, everyone is up for an opportunity…the more players we can have a look at, the better it has been.”
Goalkeeper Teagan Micah offered a player’s insight into the evolving squad dynamic, stating that: “It’s been really exciting, we are all really trusting the process… inviting new faces in the camp, and everyone is really trying to buy into that plan that Joe is selling us.”
As the Matildas turned their attentions from the positives of the two games against Slovenia to the forthcoming pair of matches with Panama, Montemurro described the training sessions as “positive” and “intense…with a few sore bodies”. Off the pitch, the Australia boss is focused on the cohesive development of positively nuanced “attitudes” and “principles” with the ultimate goal of building “a top team”.
On his debut series as Matildas head coach, Montemurro adopted a high possession approach against Slovenia. Reviewing the approach he said: “There is always going to be some teething problems, and we saw the change from game one to game two in terms of the timing and the understanding of when and where…its all part of us wanting to be a top team…we need to be comfortable with the ball.”
When looking at adapting this to a Panama side, Montemurro expressed the intention to develop and build on what the squad achieved tactically in the Slovenia series, but then also emphasised that Panama is “a different team…they will not be pressing us all over the pitch like Slovenia. There will probably be a bit of a hiccup in continuity…I don’t think it’s going to be as continuous from game one to game two,” in comparison to the Slovenia series.
Panama’s width and tempo were highlighted as the threats that will need to be overcome by both Micah and Montemurro. Australia’s boss identified the fact that “If we allow them to play through and expose us out wide, they could be a threat,” with Micah highlighting that the team needs to “control the tempo and play our standards.”
Montemurro made his intention to rotate the squad clear, stating, “There will be a lot of changes, but I hope to see the same sort of patterns. There is a real purpose in this camp to make sure we give many opportunities and we look at different combinations”.
With tomorrow’s game taking place at Hands Oval in Bunbury, 169km south of Perth, Montemurro highlighted the importance of his side playing in a non-state capital, stating: “It is great that the game is being spread to some regional areas.”
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