Proactive and expressive: Matildas' master plan for Asian Cup glory

[ad_1] The 2026 Ladies's Asian Cup looms as a second of nice significance for soccer in Australia.

Regardless of the unprecedented progress of the ladies's sport and the explosion of the Matildas' model because the 2023 World Cup, the trendy incarnation of the facet is but to get its fingers on a trophy.

It is a golden alternative for this golden technology — however the upcoming match will likely be removed from a cake stroll.

The Matildas are ranked third in Asia and nonetheless adjusting to a recent, expressive fashion underneath coach Joe Montemurro, who has had lower than a 12 months to mattress in his full-throttle, front-foot soccer.

<img alt="A close up of Matildas coach Joe Montemurro's face with the Australian flag on a big screen in the background" class="Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq" sizes="100vw" src="https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/51ffff89197e8cd277167770a99c3468?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=3333&cropW=5000&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575" loading="lazy" data-component="Image" data-lazy="true"/> Montemurro's Matildas are able to shine on the Asian Cup. ( Getty Photographs: Paul Kane )

Though crammed with acquainted faces, the Matildas at the moment are a totally completely different facet to the one which captured the nation's hearts and minds three years in the past.

Right here is every part you should know concerning the evolving, history-chasing crew and the way it will play throughout the match starting on Sunday.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile18__eJCIB Typography_sizeDesktop20___6qCS Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop24__Fh_y5 Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Get the newest: Take heed to ABC Sport for protection of the 2026 AFC Ladies's Asian Cup in Australia, and preserve updated on-line.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">An expressive and proactive fashion of play There have been 10 lengthy months between the exit of Tony Gustavsson and the appointment of Montemurro, with Australian soccer legend Tom Sermanni tasked with bridging the hole between the 2 everlasting managers.

The absence of each a head coach and footballing route was pronounced in the course of the limbo interval, with gamers greater than as soon as hinting at discontent with the size of the recruitment course of.

Nonetheless, the eventual signing of Montemurro was an actual coup for Soccer Australia, with the Melbourne-born former Lyon, Arsenal and Juventus boss being one of many pre-eminent tactical minds within the girls's sport.

Matildas coach forward of Ladies's Asian Cup Matildas coach Joe Montemurro, who has had 9 months in cost main into the Ladies's Asian Cup beginning this week, has daring ambitions for the match and the way forward for girls's soccer.

Montemurro's ethos relies round fluidity, creativity and management, with gamers inspired to specific themselves in attacking areas and to press excessive and aggressively when out of possession.

"We will be proactive. We wish to have the ability to dictate what we do when we've the ball, but additionally management the opposition crew once they have the ball," Montemurro instructed ABC Sport earlier this month.

It is a fashion of play that few Australian nationwide groups have employed and it has understandably taken a while for the Matildas to really feel comfy in Montemurro's system.

Australia hasn't performed since December and will not once more till the match opener towards the Philippines on Sunday — so simply how far the gamers have are available in adapting to the Montemurro manner of enjoying is but to be seen.

Nonetheless, there have been undoubtedly inexperienced shoots within the two-match collection towards New Zealand late final 12 months.

The Matildas had been dominant towards New Zealand in late 2025. ( Getty Photographs: Corbis/Steve Christo )

Ending in a 7-0 combination scoreline within the Matildas' favour, Australia performed a fluid 4-3-3, with the forwards given licence to roam and the midfielders tasked with sustaining and recycling the ball.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">An skilled squad There have been few surprises within the 26-player squad named by Montemurro final week.

Led by Sam Kerr, the one remaining participant from the Matildas' groundbreaking 2010 Asian Cup triumph, the crew will likely be anchored by the likes of Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter, whereas Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord will present working and incision within the ahead areas.

Teagan Micah's late withdrawal implies that Mackenzie Arnold, one of many heroes from Australia's penalty shootout victory over France on the 2023 World Cup, would be the undisputed primary.

Arnold will return as Australia's primary on the Asian Cup. ( Getty Photographs: Alex Pantling )

Second alternative goalkeeper Jada Whyman is the one uncapped participant within the squad, whereas Charlize Rule, Jamilia Rankin, Chloe Lincoln and Kahli Johnson are the one members to have performed fewer then 10 worldwide video games.

All of which means that we're prone to see a well-recognized beginning XI when Australia begins its marketing campaign towards the Philippines on Sunday — however some very intriguing questions are but to be answered.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">The return of Fowler and the ahead line It's considerably outstanding that Mary Fowler is even in rivalry to function within the match.

Final April, the mercurial attacker ruptured her ACL, an harm that may take as much as a 12 months to return from.

However Fowler has gained her race towards the clock, returning to the pitch for membership facet Manchester Metropolis three weeks in the past.

And on Sunday, she began a sport for the primary time in 315 days, enjoying 63 promising minutes for Metropolis within the FA Cup.

Fowler began her first sport in 315 days within the FA Cup. ( AP: PA/Martin Rickett )

Fowler's high quality is not any secret.

Since making her worldwide debut as a 15 12 months previous in 2018, getting probably the most out of the now 23-year-old has been a riddle confronted by a string of Matildas' managers — and one solved to various ranges of success.

In all probability most comfy enjoying behind an out and out quantity 9, Fowler has featured in a wide range of attacking positions throughout her time in inexperienced and gold, exhibiting greater than glimpses of her plain expertise but additionally generally struggling to essentially affect video games.

Fowler's harm lay-off has meant Montemurro hasn't but been capable of discipline a crew that includes her, so it will likely be intriguing to see the place she matches into his plans.

Talking on the squad announcement final week, Montemurro was optimistic about Fowler having a giant affect on the match.

"Mary might function from the beginning, Mary might come on within the final 20 minutes — we'll simply assess every sport because it goes," Montemurro mentioned.

'We do it for the stress': Matildas able to rise at Asian Cup Mary Fowler has been named within the Ladies's Asian Cup squad, simply 10 months after sustaining an ACL harm.

Nonetheless, it does really feel most unlikely that Fowler will likely be risked from the beginning in Australia's match opener.

As an alternative, in all chance, the ahead three of Montemurro's 4-3-3 will likely be made up of Kerr, Raso and Foord.

Australian soccer followers know what to anticipate with these three.

Foord and Raso are each tireless, tenacious runners from large, with the power to offer moments of actual high quality within the closing third.

Kerr, after all, hasn't had a simple time of issues previously few years, with persistent accidents closely limiting her time on the pitch. Nonetheless, the Matildas' talisman has been managed on her return to soccer, solely that includes in matches and begins for membership facet Chelsea.

She signed off club-duty with an FA Cup objective in Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Manchester United final weekend, and in keeping with Montemurro, is raring to go for the Asian Cup.

"There's one thing in Sam's voice … there is a buzz within the air once you communicate to her," Montemurro mentioned.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Kyra Cooney-Cross and the midfield three Over the previous couple years, Kyra Cooney-Cross has cemented herself as one of many Matildas' key gamers.

Silky and inventive in central midfield, the 24-year-old has a watch for each a cross and the spectacular, having struck outstanding lengthy vary objectives towards Germany in 2024 and New Zealand late final 12 months.

Nevertheless it has been an extremely robust few months for Cooney-Cross, who returned to Australia in January to be together with her mom after she had been recognized with a uncommon and incurable type of most cancers.

Her teammates, each internationally and with club-side Arsenal, rallied round her.

Having not performed membership soccer since December, it's unclear whether or not Cooney-Cross will likely be able to begin for the Matildas on match-day one.

But when she does, she will likely be almost certainly to play because the furthest ahead of a midfield there, linking midfield to assault with driving runs and pinpoint passes.

Behind her, veteran Katrina Gorry and unsung-heron Clare Wheeler are the entrance runners to be doing the heavy lifting within the Matildas' engine room — they're each stuffed with working and cozy with the ball in tight areas.

Alanna Kennedy is also in line for a begin within the deepest midfield place. Though a centre again by commerce, Montemurro has already deployed the veteran as a quantity six and she or he as soon as once more may very well be used as a destroyer within the upcoming match.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">The defence and Catley's place on the sphere Catley is a flexible participant, able to enjoying on the left or centre of defence. ( Getty Photographs: Justin Setterfield )

With Micah's late withdrawal guaranteeing Arnold will likely be beginning the match as Australia's first alternative goalkeeper, the largest thriller surrounding Australia's defence is the place Catley will play.

For years, the 141-cap Catley was Australia's first alternative left-back, however she has shifted centrally in current seasons.

She has skilled nice success enjoying centre-back for membership facet Arsenal and has been tried there internationally as effectively.

Catley's vary of passing and dribbling capacity is a profit in no matter place she performs, however the further management she would supply centrally might show irresistible to Montemurro.

If Catley does begin in central defence, it can almost certainly be both Courtney Nevin or versatile winger-come-fullback Kaitlyn Torpey on the left hand facet of defence.

Tottenham's Clare Hunt is prone to function within the centre of defence, whereas Kennedy and Winonah Heatley look set to combat it out to accomplice her if Catley performs on the left.

And the correct again place — that's Carpenter's. Finish of debate.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">The distinction makers from the bench Heyman will likely be one among Australia's most harmful weapons from the bench. ( Getty Photographs: Janelle St Pierre )

Probably the most thrilling facets of this Australian enjoying group is its depth in ahead areas.

The one two Australian based mostly gamers within the facet, Melbourne Metropolis's Holly McNamara and Canberra United's Michelle Heyman are each real plan Bs from the bench.

Heyman, 37 years previous and one of many true greats of Australian soccer, will present working, attacking nous and expertise, whereas 23-year-old McNamara leads the A-League scoring charts and appears able to ship on her large placing potential after a variety of vital harm setbacks.

Amy Sayer, likewise, has the power so as to add some magic into the outlet between midfield and assault after overcoming her personal harm setbacks, whereas rookie Kahli Johnson is an choice on the wings after debuting underneath Sermanni.