Above: Ellie Carpenter working hard in training. Photo: Rachel Bach for Football Australia.
By Alyce Collett (23/10/2025)
The Matildas are in an important stretch of international windows, and will take another step up in challenge when they face England and Wales in the next week.
Speaking to the media, star defender Ellie Carpenter alluded to the momentum the team is currently trying to build.
This window will be the second until new manager Joe Montemurro, and Carpenter believes this window will see the team build on the foundations laid a few months ago.
“Obviously the camp in July, there was a lot of new faces, experience and also young players coming through, but now I think we have the core group here” Carpenter said.
“He implemented in Perth what his style of play is, how he wants us to execute that on the pitch, and I think in these next few games we can really show what he wants us to do.”
There are not many matches left for the Matildas to prepare for March’s Asian Cup, but Carpenter did confirm that the team has clear plans for what they hope to get out of this window.
“I think chemistry within the team” Carpenter said.
“I think building on those foundations that we want to bring into the Asian Cup. Obviously Wales is a tough opposition they just competed at the Euros, and obviously we all know England are fresh coming off that Euros win.
“But I think we want to see us playing good football and obviously converting chances because I feel like our style of play now, keeping the ball and also going forward but being patient with it.
I think you’ll be see that in the next two games and I think also seeing who fits with each other, relationships on the field, what combinations work well. Joe needs to look at that.”
Next year’s Asian Cup is significant for the Matildas for more than one reason.
Not only is it another major tournament at home but the tournament serves as Asia’s qualifiers for the World Cup, and unlike at the last tournament in 2022 Australia has to fight for its spot at the World Cup this time around because they are not hosting the World Cup.
“I think it’s in the back of our minds” Carpenter admitted, speaking about whether she and her team mates have been thinking about the significance of the tournament as a World Cup qualifier.
“I think that Asian cup in India, we were automatically qualified, but I think it just shows the importance of this tournament. It’s not just the Asian Cup, it is our qualifying. So that is very important and there is so much at stake.
“We need to be ready. We need to be competitive and we need to win our games, just as simple as that. So we know what’s at stake, and I think more for us here, it’s probably just a day to day thing to get through camp, but I’m sure it’s in everyone’s minds and obviously when we come next year in March, we all know what’s at stake.”
It has been a big few months for Carpenter, who is playing for Chelsea in the English Women’s Super League after moving across from French giants Lyon in the mid year transfer window.
Carpenter described her move to Chelsea as “I think was the best thing for my football career at this time.”
“I think the, the league is very competitive. I can already see my game improving in small parts. Every game is hard and the training environment also is intense.
“I’m really happy of how the season has started and obviously being under Sonia [Bompastor] again.”
This move has brought some new challenges for Carpenter, who said that she “wanted to be out of my comfort zone again, and I think moving to Chelsea I was put out of my comfort zone a little bit. A new team, a new environment, a new league, a whole new team that I didn’t really know going into it.
“I’m a very competitive person, so I really love a challenge and I think it’s really bringing out the best in me.”
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