What was learnt from Joe Montemurro’s opening matches in charge of the Matildas ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup 2026
Tactical identity is open and will become clearer
We know what Montemurro is trying to do: introduce a gaming style based on ownership that has been attacking a team that hasn’t been a direction in the field for a while. And when they had a tactical direction that made you feel for a lifetime, it wasn’t with Tony Gustavsson’s choice of playing a more transitive game.
There were times when we saw that he came to life, when he was separated, and when he didn’t seem like a plan. Considering the circumstances, this is natural: At the end of their seasons, the players had to be managed carefully, and chemistry cannot be built overnight when you bring together an unknown team under a new coach who says that they only know a way of working.
Behind Matildas: Leanne Hall, Emanuele Chiapero, Joe Palatsyide, Head Coach Joe Montemurro, Tony Franken and Emily Hous.Credit: Getty Images
Fortunately, it is unlikely to get worse. Future players are more technically more resourceful to carry out Montemurro’s plan, but to limit the turnover and hit the ball for a long time, proved that there is a difficulty for many in the past. And those who have received a taste in this window can move away and work on what they know they will be asked to do when they are called next time.
Midfielder continues to be a puzzle
Most people thought that Paris 2024 would be Gorry’s last tournament. Now he’s 33 years old, but he’s still walking around. But does he return to this team when he is in the form again? Compulsory Wheeler (late withdrawal from this window) and the progress made by Cooney-Cross as Tandem Midfield Matching? And where does Emily Van Egmond sleep anywhere?
Matildas Senior Katrina Gorry.Credit: Visionhaus through Getty Images
In this window, Montemurro has gone through a lot of different combinations, including the use of Kennedy as a defense midfielder for Angel City FC – to try to understand how many applicable options in the future. Returning to Alex Chidiac and Chloe Berryhill’s liking did not go very well, and Van Egmond reserved a view as usual.
If the Asian Cup was tomorrow, the makeup of the midfield would have been estimated right now. Montemurro really needs to take some flight hours to what they think was the first choice to help them create synergy as quickly as possible.
Amy sayer finally came
Sayer was 16 years old when he made an international release at the 2018 Nations Tournament – in the same window as the 15 -year -old Fowler. However, when Fowler’s career exploded in the following years, Sayer chose to take the US college path and was not in mind. An ACL injury strengthened it. He approached, but Gustavsson never chose him on the team for a big tournament.
Amy Sayer and Joe Montemurro.Credit: Getty Images
Now 23, Sayer jump and came to the borders. Tom Sermanni’s latest games in his last games stole the light, and then the last few months to continue this momentum under Montemurro “find” was.
It is used as the best no.10, but it can also play extensively in the attack, and its stance and vision is the same type, although not Fowler-Esque. He could be a big player for Matildas for many years.
Matildas has a depth in defense
Once! The emergence of Jamilla Rankin and the development of Courtney Nevin and Charli Grant means that Montemurro will have the luxury of using Catley as a central back.
Matildas defender Jamilla Rankin (right) is against Panama.Credit: Getty Images
And with Clare Hunt kicking and Heatley’s great strikes, now there is a red hot competition that should be a partner with it-in the example of the Kennedy, the probability of anchoring the midfield instead of four.
Of course, the factor and Matildas suddenly have things they don’t really have in a few years: the real depth of defense.
There is no room for emotion in the election anymore
We’ve mentioned Van Egmond and Gorry before. What about Tameka Yallop? Or Emily Gielnik?
For every player like Hayley Raso or Michelle Heyman, there is a veteran who can be with reputation instead of the currency for every player who can show his unbearable values. For example, Peak Van Egmond idea is challenging. But how often do we see this idea in a match? The same goes for Chidiac. And some of these settled players are of vital importance for the dressing room, or in the case of yallop and gielnik, even though they are incredibly versatile, at what point they are not more, even if they are not more, they face the risk of overcoming capabilities that can offer too much? Are we there yet? Probably.
Emily Van Egmond.Credit: Getty Images
These are questions that Montemurro should consider carefully. If he doesn’t see a future for a player at Matildas level and he can’t be sure that someone else can’t do his job better in the Asian Cup, then he needs to touch them on his shoulder, because it’s important every minute.
Fit Kerr will take this team to another level
He still hasn’t come back, but he’s getting closer. In order to continue his rehabilitation, Kerr was re -connected with the team in Pert and participated in the training exercises for the first time since ACL injury – the return was blocked by those who know as an uncertain “complication .. Women’s Super League does not start until September 6, so the 31-year-old child still has a little time to build this point-we can expect to see him as green and gold in the October window. Maybe.
Although Heyman shows that he still offers something at the international level with a good support on Tuesday night (he wipes the memory of that terrible point gap on Saturday) and Holly Mcnamara seems to be the long -term heir of this striking position, and there is no doubt that Kerr will make Matildas a much better team.
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