Joe Montemurro has expressed confidence that the Matildas are better prepared and more adaptable than in their last encounter with Japan, as the two national teams get set to add another chapter to one of Asia’s leading football rivalries.
Speaking ahead of the matchup, Montemurro pointed to the time and work the squad has put in since the sides last met. He indicated that the Matildas have evolved in key areas, with a focus on tactical flexibility, collective understanding, and the ability to adjust within games against technically strong opposition such as Japan.
Japan and Australia have a long and competitive history in Asian women’s football, often facing each other in high-stakes tournament matches and qualification campaigns. Their meetings have frequently been characterised by contrasting styles: Japan’s emphasis on possession, quick combinations, and movement off the ball, against Australia’s athleticism, direct play when needed, and capacity to press aggressively. Montemurro suggested that the Matildas are now better placed to navigate those stylistic contrasts over 90 minutes.
He highlighted the importance of adapting not only to Japan’s structured build-up play but also to their tactical adjustments during the match. According to Montemurro, the current Matildas group has benefited from recent international windows, additional time on the training pitch, and exposure to varied opposition. That period, he believes, has improved the team’s capacity to shift formations, alter pressing triggers, and manage different phases of play without losing cohesion.
Montemurro also underlined the significance of the rivalry itself in driving the team’s development. Facing a side with Japan’s pedigree in Asia and on the world stage, he noted, demands a high level of concentration and discipline. The Matildas, he said, must be ready to respond to Japan’s movement and ball circulation, while still finding ways to impose their own attacking strengths.
While detailed tactical plans and selection decisions were not disclosed, Montemurro’s message centred on growth and readiness. He framed the upcoming contest as an opportunity for the Matildas to measure their progress against a familiar and respected opponent, and to demonstrate that the lessons taken from previous meetings with Japan have translated into greater resilience and adaptability on the pitch.
As the teams prepare to meet again, Montemurro’s belief is that the Matildas now possess a more mature understanding of what it takes to compete consistently at the highest level in Asia. The coach’s confidence reflects his view that this group has moved forward since its last clash with Japan and is equipped to handle the tactical and technical test that awaits.
