Matildas Coach Joe Montemurro Hails Ante Milicic as Semifinal Showdown Looms
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has expressed immense respect for his longtime friend and coaching counterpart Ante Milicic, as Australia prepares to face China in the Women's Asian Cup semifinal on Tuesday. The high-stakes match at Optus Stadium pits Montemurro's Australian side against Milicic's reigning Asian champions, setting the stage for a tactical duel between two of Australia's finest coaching exports.
Mutual Admiration and Tactical Anticipation
Montemurro lauded Milicic, who previously led the Matildas at the 2019 Women's World Cup and served as an assistant for the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup, calling him one of the country's most exceptional coaching talents. "I have the utmost respect for Ante as a person and as a student of the game. He sees the game holistically, but sees the game for the reality that it is," Montemurro stated. "He's one of the special coaches that's been produced in Australia. There's been many of them and he's had a great career."
Montemurro emphasized that beyond the on-field action, he anticipates a strategic battle off the pitch. "We could talk about the football on the pitch, but there's also going to be a tactical battle that I need to be prepared for off the pitch, when to make those decisions, because I know he's going to throw some things at us," he added, underscoring the depth of their rivalry and friendship.
Milicic's Journey with China and Emotional Ties
For Milicic, this semifinal marks a poignant moment, having previously coached the Matildas and now leading China against his home country in a must-win match. His first games in charge of China in 2024 were against Australia, making this encounter familiar yet intensified by the tournament stakes. "I'm honored that I've had the opportunity to coach both national teams and of course I'll always follow the Matildas from afar," Milicic shared. "I had great memories from my time there, but ultimately, now I'm enjoying this journey with China. It's been so enjoyable for me; I'm a better coach, better person."
Milicic also highlighted the collaborative effort with his Australian staff, noting that four other Australians are part of his coaching team, all working diligently to prepare China for the challenge. "That's a dream and not only for myself, you have to understand, there's also four other Australians as part of my staff that have been working very hard on this journey, and we're preparing the team as best we can," he explained.
Key Players and Defensive Strategies
With only 10 players remaining from the Matildas squad that traveled to the 2019 World Cup under Milicic, Australia's attacking trio of Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, and Caitlin Foord poses a significant threat. Milicic acknowledged the difficulty in containing them, stating, "These forward players of Australia can unlock a game at any time through their own individual class or combination. They've played together for a long time, and they've also been playing consistently in Europe at a top level, so we understand defensively, we're going to have to be very strong."
However, he cautioned against a purely defensive mindset, adding, "But at the same time, we can't come into the mindset of just thinking how we will contain Australia's attacking threats."
Montemurro's Focus on Composure and Control
On the Australian side, Montemurro is seeking a more composed performance from his team after what he described as sub-par outings against South Korea and North Korea. "It's probably been the emotion and the moments and the situation of the way games have gone in the last couple that we haven't been probably brave enough to control the ball," he reflected. "We're playing a team that is very well-structured, very well-organised, so it's going to be us understanding the moments with the ball and making the right decisions."
As the semifinal approaches, both coaches are poised for a clash that blends personal history with professional ambition, promising an electrifying match in Perth.
