Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has issued a stark warning to his entire squad, declaring every player should feel under selection pressure ahead of the crucial AFC Women's Asian Cup tournament.
No Guaranteed Spots in Final Squad
The Australian women's football team faces two important friendlies against New Zealand this week, marking their final matches before hosting the Asian Cup in March. Central Coast Stadium will host the first friendly on Thursday, with a second match scheduled for Adelaide.
Despite fielding a mostly full-strength squad for these matches, Montemurro emphasized that the final Asian Cup team selection remains wide open. The only notable absences are injured duo Mary Fowler and Charli Grant, but the coach made it clear that established players cannot afford complacency.
"My remit isn't so much about, 'will players get a chance or are there spots?' My remit is that everyone is under pressure," Montemurro stated bluntly. "Everyone needs to feel that, hey, if you're not performing, you could lose your spot."
Young Talent Waiting in the Wings
The selection warning comes amid limited representation from domestic and youth competitions. Only four A-League Women players made the current squad, while just one player - backup goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln - graduated from the U23 squad that won the ASEAN Women's Championship earlier this year.
Montemurro specifically highlighted his confidence in emerging talent, sending a clear message to players outside the current setup. "I have confidence in a lot of younger players and some of the A-League players and I want it to be known from us that they are being looked at," he explained. "They are considered, they are part of what we're trying to do as a bigger picture."
In a surprising move that underscores the competitive environment, Montemurro refused to guarantee superstar striker Sam Kerr's position in the starting lineup. When questioned about how many minutes Kerr would play against New Zealand, or if she would feature at all, the coach offered only a cryptic "we'll see" as response.
Bouncing Back from England Defeat
The Matildas are determined to recover from their 3-0 loss to England in October, a match that saw defender Alanna Kennedy receive an early red card. Montemurro acknowledged the challenge of facing what he described as "probably the best team in the world at the moment" but stressed the importance of moving forward.
"We want to make sure that we send the right message, that we leave the right message for the fans and everyone, to say that we're on our way to being prepared for the Asian Cup," Montemurro said regarding their championship aspirations on home soil.
The coach expects a tough challenge from the Football Ferns, who sit 33rd in FIFA rankings. "They're a brave team, they're a team that want to play, that will try to press us high," he analyzed. "They're a team that are very courageous in their defending, very one-on-one and I think we need that pressure."
With the Asian Cup fast approaching, every training session and both friendlies against New Zealand have become critical audition opportunities for players hoping to secure their spot in the final tournament squad.
