Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has clarified that the decision to leave star winger Hayley Raso on the bench during the 2-1 semifinal win over China was purely tactical, not related to her recent concussion. Raso missed the group stage draw with South Korea and the quarterfinal win over North Korea due to concussion, but Montemurro stated she is fit for Saturday's final.
Montemurro explained that he did not believe Raso would find the necessary space on the field against China. He hoped the game would open up later, but it did not, and the team needed to hold the middle areas. The Matildas had only 38% possession in the quarterfinal but improved to 55.7% against China, though they managed only eight shots on goal compared to China's 14.
The coach expressed dissatisfaction with the team's tendency to revert to old habits, emphasizing the need to be proactive, higher, and braver with the ball to play modern football. The Matildas are aiming for their first silverware since winning the Asian Cup in 2010, having been losing finalists in 2014 and 2018.
Forward Caitlin Foord, who scored in the semifinal, believes winning the trophy would elevate football in Australia. She noted the team's long struggle and repeated near misses, vowing to give everything to finally secure a title together.
