Fowler made big headway last weekend with her first start for Manchester City since her own ACL injury. But, after a long-haul flight straight into the Western Australian heat, the risk doesn’t feel worth it.
Will Montemurro start a full-strength squad?
Maybe. Some, such as the indefatigable Ellie Carpenter and Caitlin Foord, feel like certainties. Same goes for Hayley Raso and Katrina Gorry, and see above for Kerr and Fowler. But the make-up of the midfield and defence is harder to predict.
Katrina Gorry will once again play a big part in the Matildas midfield throughout this Asian Cup.Credit: Getty Images
Does Kyra Cooney-Cross’s load management open the door for Clare Wheeler? And what about Amy Sayer? Will Steph Catley start, or will she take this opportunity to rest after a heavy club load with Arsenal? Does that make way for Jamilla Rankin or Kaitlyn Torpey at left-back, and who will partner Wini Heatley in central defence?
Can Matildas beat Philippines 8-0 again?
These teams last met at the same Perth venue in 2023. Kerr and Foord both scored hat-tricks, and Fowler and Wheeler topped off a joyful Olympic-qualifying romp in front of almost 60,000. Will we see a similar scoreline?
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You wouldn’t put your money on the $26 underdogs, but Philippines coach, Australian Mark Torcaso, believes his world No.41 team has grown big time since that rout – his second match in charge. “We’re just going to be there and be annoying and constantly be pushing,” Torcaso said. “And I know that the girls will fight. That’s the one thing I’m proud of with our country.”
How does this compare to the other group games?
You should never speak too soon, but Australia’s opener feels like the most straightforward of the three Group A fixtures. Yes, the Philippines have improved since 2023, but their style is also cleaner than that of Iran, who, while ranked 68th, are known for their gamesmanship that breaks the momentum and could create a banana-skin moments for the Matildas. South Korea in game three shapes as the most difficult. While no longer the powerhouse they once were, Australia will remember well that 1-0 quarter-final loss that knocked them out of the 2022 Asian Cup.
