Above: Sam Kerr and Joe Montemurro post-match. Image: Football Australia.
By Genevieve Henry (2/12/25).
After beating New Zealand 2-0 at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide, Matildas captain Sam Kerr and head coach Joe Montemurro addressed the media in their post-match press conference.
Goals to Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso secured the win in what was a free-flowing and dominating victory for Australia.
“I think sometimes we lose sight of why we play football, and tonight just felt like one of those moments where I could just really go out there and enjoy it and have fun.” Kerr said.
It’s a feeling that stems from understanding Montemurro’s football ideology. “You can see that he wants to play football,” Kerr said. “It’s been all based on football, all based on the little details, and I think we’ve really needed that as a team. We all had an idea when he came in of what his philosophy was and it’s been really enjoyable and fun.”
Montemurro’s philosophy is all about proactive possession and ball control. “We got caught a couple of times on the break and we’re obviously defending one-on-one in these situations, so a lot of people sort of pulling their hair out on that sort of stuff, but I like it because it’s one of those risk-reward sort of scenarios,” Montemurro said. “The more we’re proactive, risk, keep the ball high and keep it where we want it and control it, you are going to find one or two moments where you’re going to get caught. Not a problem for me, and that’s what I’m proud of this team.”
“This team’s really just developed this idea of wanting to be in control with the ball and finding these little movements in these little spaces to break teams down.” Montemurro said.
While some players excel in those tight spaces that New Zealand forced the Matildas to play in, Kerr expressed her apprehension with that playing style. “I would have liked to have played longer, but it wasn’t to be,” Kerr said, after being taken out after playing the first 45. “The game was a little bit crowded, it’s not my strength to play in small areas, but when I did play in small areas I thought I did quite well.”
But, even when Kerr isn’t at her best, she’s still world-class. Her work in the first half in hold-up and link-up play was understated but critical in maintaining attacking momentum and creative flow.
“I think she brings this level of confidence within the group. Everyone just feels a little bit taller, stronger, better having Sam around,” Montemurro said. “She’s an amazing leader – and she’s a bit cheeky too, which is good. She’s (brings) a little bit of banter in the group, which I think is the most important thing. But as I said, obviously the footballing quality is a second to none.”
“To have her back playing at her best is what I think she really wants – and just being back on the park I think is what she really wants,” Montemurro said regarding Kerr. “I’m so proud to have her as part of this lead-up into the tournament and part of these last couple of camps.”
One player who stepped up and made the most of her opportunity was Alanna Kennedy. Kennedy played in a more advanced role and opened the scoring after finding herself out of the lineup due to red card suspension, as well as struggling for playing time at the club level. “I’ve always liked her as a more proactive defender or a player in front of the back…she has all the passing weapons. She can (play) long, short, interfere, combine and all those sorts of areas,” Montemurro said. “She just now needs to find the rhythm and confidence to do it now because she’s playing sporadically at London City.”
Even with six changes to the starting lineup, Australia still put out a side that could be considered their strongest lineup. This depth is still in development, but strengthening the side in obvious ways.
“I think we’ve now elevated the squad holistically in a big way where we’ve got a good group of players that can fit into all different areas and can come into all different situations, understanding the style and the ideas we’re trying to put in,” Montemurro said. “I’m in a privileged position to say, ‘Okay, well, I want to play a little bit more proactive in these areas or I want to be able to protect these areas.’ I can do it because we have the quality of players to do it.”
The internal competition in the squad should bring out the best in the starters and squad players – a mix becoming more and more interchangeable. The next couple of months will be critical in individual development and fitness. And while the narrative swirling has been about the Asian Cup approaching too fast for Australia’s coaching changes, Montemurro has a different perspective.
“I wish the tournament was next week, I’ll be honest with you,” Montemurro said. “The buzz that’s been in the camp this week, the energy, the football, the growth – and just the players themselves, they’re just an amazing group. They really are.”
“We’re all excited from the success of the World Cup…It was special and something that we’ll never, ever forget,” Kerr said. “We’re kind of hoping that we can replicate that feeling at the Asian Cup.”
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