AFC Women's Asian Cup
A 1-0 win against the Philippines on Sunday in Perth got the Matildas off to a winning start in their quest to add to their 2010 success on home soil, although the head coach admitted they could have been more prolific.
However, Montemurro believes that the quality in his team as well as the work that has been put in will reap rewards, as he looked forward to a “really beautiful” night.
“First of all, we are going out to win all three games, so goal difference doesn't really come into consideration,” he said. “As simple as that, we want to finish this group on nine points.
“The second thing, you know, breaking (down) a low block… we have been working a lot on getting into these (attacking) areas and making sure that the quality or the instinct of the footballer makes that decision in the right scenario. Our main scenario (priority) is to get into areas where we believe we can have shots on goal, or we can get goalscoring opportunities, and that's the most important thing. Then it's up to the quality of the individual.”
“First of all, we are going out to win all three games, so goal difference doesn't really come into consideration,” he said. “As simple as that, we want to finish this group on nine points.
“The second thing, you know, breaking (down) a low block… we have been working a lot on getting into these (attacking) areas and making sure that the quality or the instinct of the footballer makes that decision in the right scenario. Our main scenario (priority) is to get into areas where we believe we can have shots on goal, or we can get goalscoring opportunities, and that's the most important thing. Then it's up to the quality of the individual.”
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With the tight turnaround time from the first match, including the travel down to the Gold Coast, Montemurro indicated that there will likely be changes to his line-up but remained confident that it will not affect their performance.
“Logic says that there will be some rotation, obviously in preparation for tomorrow night's game, but also in preparation for what's to come, to make sure the squad is in good shape at the moment,” he said, while also noting that goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and Kyra Cooney-Cross – who both missed the first game – are back in training.
“Logic says that there will be some rotation, obviously in preparation for tomorrow night's game, but also in preparation for what's to come, to make sure the squad is in good shape at the moment,” he said, while also noting that goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and Kyra Cooney-Cross – who both missed the first game – are back in training.
#WAC2026 | Group A: Australia 1-0 Philippines
“Obviously, we have not played together a lot and (that) probably showed a little bit on Sunday, and you want to keep a little bit of continuity… But look, it is a great opportunity to give (all the) players the opportunity to play, to be part of the rotations, to be part of the group. And as I said, whoever comes in will keep the standards very, very high, because they know what the standards are, and they know the way we want to play.”
The chance to run out in front of packed stands is also eagerly anticipated by Iran forward Sara Didar, who believes that her team can draw motivation from the crowd as well in what is only their second meeting with Australia, who triumphed 2-0 in the Olympic qualifiers in October 2023.
“We know that tomorrow, we have a tough game… for me it is my first time playing them and I hope I can gain good experience,” the 21-year-old Bam Khatoon player said. “We have many young players… and we just want to get good experience in order to make the national team stronger for the future. All the players know that it will be tough, but we are more motivated and excited (by that); we love the (Australia) players, like Sam Kerr."
“We know that tomorrow, we have a tough game… for me it is my first time playing them and I hope I can gain good experience,” the 21-year-old Bam Khatoon player said. “We have many young players… and we just want to get good experience in order to make the national team stronger for the future. All the players know that it will be tough, but we are more motivated and excited (by that); we love the (Australia) players, like Sam Kerr."
#WAC2026 | Group A: Korea Republic 3-0 IR Iran
“Obviously we feel very good that we see many Iranians supporting us (as well), it really encourages us and we really appreciate it. I know the stadium will be full tomorrow, and hope that we have a great atmosphere.”
Trivia
● This will be just the second meeting between IR Iran and Australia in women’s internationals and the first since Australia defeated IR Iran 2-0 in Perth during Olympic Qualifiers in 2023, Matildas duo Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr scoring goals on the day.
● This will be just the second meeting between IR Iran and Australia in women’s internationals and the first since Australia defeated IR Iran 2-0 in Perth during Olympic Qualifiers in 2023, Matildas duo Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr scoring goals on the day.
● IR Iran have lost their last three games at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and are yet to score a goal at the tournament, conceding 15 across those last three fixtures; in fact, they’re on a three-game losing run overall since a 3-0 win against Nepal in October 2025.
● Australia have won 10 of their last 13 women’s internationals (D3 L2) including their last three in a row, keeping a clean sheet in each of those last three wins; the last time they went more consecutive games without conceding a goal was a five-game stretch at the 2006 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
● Sam Kerr has scored six goals and made one assist across her last four women’s internationals when Mary Fowler has been in the team on the day, while Fowler (2 goals, 1 assist) has also been directly involved in three goals in those last four fixtures.
● Australia duo Clare Hunt (126) and Winonah Heatley (116) made more passes than any other players in Group A in the opening match day of Australia 2026, while teammate Ellie Carpenter (97% of 58 passes) had the highest accuracy of any player to make at least 10 passes.
Philippines v Korea Republic
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:00 (UTC +10)
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:00 (UTC +10)
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