Matildas Look to Future as Golden Generation Nears End
As Australia’s celebrated golden generation of women’s football approaches its twilight, new coach Joe Montemurro is laying the groundwork for sustained success, aiming to keep the Matildas at the pinnacle of international competition. The recent Women’s Asian Cup final in Sydney, a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Japan, underscored the razor-thin margins that define elite international football. On another night, the Matildas might have capitalised on the opportunities presented, potentially ending a 16-year trophy drought.
Montemurro, despite having less than ten months to implement his vision, has emerged from the tournament with considerable credit. He has rapidly instilled his tactical blueprint onto a squad that has had limited time to train together under his tutelage. Crucially, against Japan, the Matildas displayed a commendable lack of intimidation, holding their own against an opponent that had steamrolled through its previous five matches en route to the final. This resilience begs the question: how much stronger can Australia become heading into next year’s World Cup in Brazil?
Montemurro’s philosophy is clear: foster an attacking mindset and instil confidence in the team’s own playing style. “I suppose the whole idea is going into games with our ideas, not so much being scared of the opposition,” Montemurro explained. “That’s what I’m trying to instill, to say ‘we’re comfortable in the way we do things’. That should be our base.” He plans to make tactical adjustments as needed, but the core principle remains: “the important thing is that we shouldn’t be over-analysing the opposition, because we’re confident in what we’re doing.”
The coach is adamant that Australia possesses the inherent talent to remain a formidable force, even as key figures like Sam Kerr, Katrina Gorry, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, and Emily van Egmond approach their mid-thirties, meaning they will likely be past their prime for the next Asian Cup in four years.
Identifying and Nurturing the Next Wave
Montemurro has already demonstrated his commitment to developing emerging talent. This tournament saw him place his faith in players like Kaitlyn Torpey and Winonah Heatley. Amy Sayer, who did not feature in the final, is also seen as a strong contender for a regular starting role at the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.
“I know Courtney Nevin made a couple of mistakes (against South Korea), but she’s playing at Malmo in the Champions League,” Montemurro highlighted, underscoring the calibre of experience some younger players are already accumulating. He expressed excitement about the next generation, stating, “We’ve got that next core with Mary Fowler, with Kyra (Cooney-Cross), with Ellie (Carpenter). Wini Heatley has become a world-class defender in three games, so it’s exciting.”
Addressing Depth and Future Pathways
While the emergence of promising individuals is encouraging, Montemurro acknowledges that squad depth remains a challenge for the Matildas. To address this, he is keen to exert greater influence over the tactical direction of Australia’s junior national teams. The aim is to ensure that up-and-coming players are not only technically proficient but also mentally prepared to make an immediate impact at the senior international level.
“We’re trying to just spread this little Joe Montemurro cult, if you want to call it that, all over the national team spectrum,” Montemurro quipped, emphasising his desire for a unified playing philosophy. “The thing for me is to make sure that our mentality is this type of football, the way we want to play.”
He articulated the ultimate ambition: “We want to dominate games, obviously, because that’s what the best teams in the world are doing. So can we dominate games like Japan? Probably not, but we can find a way where we can have control with the ball, but also find ways without it.” This pragmatic yet ambitious approach signals a clear direction for the Matildas as they navigate the transition and strive to maintain their status as a global powerhouse.
