The Australian women’s national soccer team, the Matildas, is set to face South Korea, Iran, and the Philippines in the group stage of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup. The draw, which took place at Sydney Town Hall, has positioned Australia in Group A, alongside some of the top-ranked teams in the tournament.
Sam Kerr, a key player for the Matildas, has been absent from competitive play since a UEFA Champions League match for Chelsea in late 2023. She has been sidelined for over a year and a half due to injury. Meanwhile, teammate Mary Fowler is expected to return to the field within seven months, according to coach Joe Montemurro’s predictions. Montemurro emphasized the importance of Kerr not rushing back into pre-season, stating, “Hopefully by the end of pre-season, she’ll be at the level with everyone else – and then she’s up for game time.”
Group Dynamics and Challenges
The group stage draw is seen as a challenging one for the Matildas, with South Korea being a particularly notable opponent. South Korea eliminated Australia from the last Asian Cup in India four years ago with a dramatic last-minute goal in the quarter-finals. Matildas coach Joe Montemurro expressed satisfaction with the draw, noting the competitive nature of the group.
Montemurro stated, “I remember the amount of chances we missed,” recalling his experience watching the previous match from Turin, where he was coaching Juventus’ women’s team. “But, look, it happens. And we’ve seen tournaments now [like the] Euros where maybe not the best team won. They found a way.”
“It’s my job to paint the picture of as many scenarios possible that we could face in a tournament and hope to make it familiar so we can get through.” – Joe Montemurro
Historical Context and Expert Opinions
The Matildas’ journey in international tournaments has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Their recent performances have shown resilience, and the team is keen to capitalize on their strengths. Former Matildas coach Ante Milicic, now leading the Chinese team in Group B, expressed a desire to face Australia, citing his connections and history with the team.
“I actually would have preferred to play Australia,” Milicic said. “But that’s normal I think, being born and raised in Sydney, and with knowing so many players there, being a former coach … hopefully both teams get to a stage where they meet later in the tournament.”
The upcoming matches will also be a test for the Matildas’ new strategies under Montemurro, who has been focusing on preparing the team for various scenarios they might encounter during the tournament.
Upcoming Matches and Tournament Implications
The Asian Cup will kick off with Australia facing the Philippines at Perth’s Optus Stadium on March 1. This will be followed by a match against Iran at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 5, and finally, a high-stakes game against South Korea at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on March 8. The importance of topping the group cannot be overstated, as it significantly influences the path to the semi-finals and a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The winners of Group A will have a potentially easier quarter-final match against a third-placed team from either Group B or C, while the runners-up will face a tougher opponent from Group B. This dynamic underscores the critical nature of each group stage match.
As the Matildas prepare for the tournament, the focus remains on strategic gameplay and leveraging the experience of seasoned players like Kerr and Fowler. The team’s performance in these initial matches will set the tone for their campaign in the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.
