The Matildas wish the Asian Cup started next week, rather than having to wait nearly three months until kick-off.
Fresh off a clean sweep against New Zealand, the team is brimming with excitement and belief, feeling confident in their preparation for the major tournament on home soil.
The Matildas finished their 2025 campaign on a high, securing a decisive 2-0 victory over New Zealand in front of a packed Adelaide crowd on Tuesday.
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The Matildas celebrate a goal during their international friendly match against the New Zealand Football Ferns. Maya Thompson via Getty Images
The win marked the final opportunity for players to impress coach Joe Montemurro, with the strength and depth of the home side undeniable ahead of Asian Cup selection.
Speaking after the Matildas’ win, Montemurro made no attempt to hide his high confidence and belief in the team’s readiness for the Asian Cup.
“I wish the tournament was next week, I’ll be honest with you,” he said.
“The buzz that’s been in the camp this week, the energy, the football, the growth. And just the players themselves – they’re just an amazing group.”
Superstar striker Sam Kerr shared the sentiment, adding: “We wish it was next week too.”
Starting in her first game on home soil in over two years, Kerr’s 45 minutes on the pitch seemed to reignite the squad’s spirit, something that has been largely unseen since the 2023 World Cup.
Matildas’ Sam Kerr and NZ Ferns’ Claudia Bunge face off during their international friendly. Sarah Reed via Getty Images
Speaking to media, Kerr explained how the Matildas are managing expectations after their groundbreaking 2023 run, emphasising a more humble approach for the upcoming Asian Cup.
“Yeah, I think that comes with experience,” she said.
“And I think everyone’s a bit older, a bit more mature and has experienced it.
“But expectations for us are just to go into every game now and focus on the next game, and not get too far ahead of ourselves. To go fourth at the World Cup is a pretty amazing achievement for an Australian team, so I think we handled it pretty well at the World Cup.
“But it’s a whole new tournament. It’s such a different tournament playing Asian football, and there are so many great teams. It’s going to be tough.”
The Matildas’ final hit out against the Football Ferns served as a critical opportunity for Montemurro to “solidify an idea” for the Asian Cup campaign.
Joe Montemurro gives instructions to goalkeeper Teagan Micah. Maya Thompson via Getty Images
Despite their defensive errors, New Zealand played deep enough to give Australia a valuable simulation of the more resolute, compact defences they will encounter in March.
Montemurro’s free-flowing philosophy, which midfielder Amy Sayer dubbed ‘Total Football’, has quickly taken root in the squad as they adopt his fresh approach.
“I think we’ve now elevated the squad holistically in a big way, where we’ve got a good group of players that can fit into all different areas and can come into all different situations, understanding the style and the ideas we’re trying to put in,” Montemurro said.
“And I’m in a privileged position to say ‘OK, well, I want to play a little bit more proactive in these areas, or I want to be able to protect these areas’. I can do it because we have the quality of players to do it.
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Goals from Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy underlined Australia’s dominance on Tuesday night. The Matildas unleashed 14 shots, while their rivals from across the ditch managed a mere four in response.
The home crowd erupted as Kerr took her place in the starting line-up for the first time in more than two years on Australian soil.
Kerr was instrumental in creating several goal-scoring chances across the pitch. However, she never managed to register a solid strike of her own on goal.
In the lead-up to the match, Montemurro remained evasive about the Chelsea star’s inclusion in the XI. Crucially, however, he confirmed that the duration of her time on the pitch would be left up to Kerr herself.
Kerr played for 45 minutes before being substituted at half time.
Alanna Kennedy celebrates after scoring her teams first goal. Getty
Having missed the previous clash due to suspension, Kennedy ensured her return to the national team was flawless, delivering a strong performance free of major errors.
Early strikes from Raso and Caitlin Foord immediately put the Kiwis’ defence on notice.
The Matildas broke through in the 19th minute, sending the ball flying past New Zealand keeper Alina Santos to find the back of the net and open the scoring.
Kennedy broke the deadlock for Australia, quickly intervening on a New Zealand deflection in the box and slotting the ball home.
The goal drew immediate praise from the commentary box.
“That goal had a bit of feeling behind it,” A-Leagues great Grace Gill said in commentary for Paramount+.
Andy Harper called it a “beautiful hit”.
He added: “She starts as a defensive midfielder and finishes like a striker”.
New Zealand’s new 4-3-3 formation exposed cracks in the Matildas’ defence, putting Teagan Micah to the test with four shots in a matter of minutes.
But it did not take long for the Australians to find their feet once again, trying eight shots that all swerved wide of the posts.
At half time, Montemurro made two changes, substituting Kerr and Ellie Carpenter for Courtney Nevin and Holly McNamara.
Hayley Raso celebrates a goal. Getty
Just minutes after the restart, Raso doubled Australia’s lead with the Matildas’ second goal.
Raso’s goal immediately followed a dramatic moment, as New Zealand’s Katie Kitching fell heavily to the turf after being struck in the face by a powerful Steph Catley cross in the lead-up.
The ball rebounded directly into Raso’s path, allowing her to slot home and double Australia’s lead over the tourists to 2-0.
Following the incident, Kitching was escorted off the field following but she offered a reassuring sign by walking to the bench and appearing in good spirits.
Katie Kitching is consoled by teammates after copping a falcon. Getty
In the final 20 minutes, Foord had several chances to push the score to 3-0, but she was denied repeatedly, unable to sneak a shot past goalkeeper Alina Santos.
The Matildas’ focus now turns entirely to the Asian Cup, where they will kick off the tournament in Perth on March 1.
