Matildas Coach Joe Montemurro Confident in Star Duo for Asian Cup Campaign
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has voiced strong confidence that Australia's premier football stars, Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler, will make a significant positive impact during the upcoming Women's Asian Cup. This assurance comes despite both players having recently returned from serious torn ACL injuries over the past year, with Montemurro emphasizing their readiness and maturity ahead of the tournament.
Fowler's Maturity and Fitness Praised Despite Limited Game Time
Montemurro specifically praised Mary Fowler's mature approach to her injury recovery, backing her fitness even though she has been limited to just 15 minutes of game time in the lead-up to the tournament. Fowler, who tore her ACL last April, made a brief cameo off the bench in Manchester City's 5-1 victory over Chelsea on February 1, marking her only appearance since the injury.
Montemurro revealed that he has been in constant contact with Fowler and Manchester City, expressing satisfaction with her structured return to play. "It was important we managed with Manchester City her return, and it was actually a really, really structured and an important return," he said. "We actually probably had her fit at about nine months returning, but she was great and said she'd like a little bit more time coming back. She's been training with the squad now for a couple of months and playing some minutes, and she's ready to go, and she's in good shape."
He highlighted that the decision was part of an organized load management plan, with City preparing her specifically for the Asian Cup. Montemurro did not impose any minutes restrictions on Fowler, noting that her mindset has been exceptionally mature and focused on her career's next phase.
Kerr's Enthusiasm and Role for Chelsea
Meanwhile, Sam Kerr returned from her own knee setback in September, which was a lengthier recovery period. While she has scored nine goals in 22 games this season, her output in the Women's Super League has been more modest, with just two goals in 14 appearances. For much of the league campaign, Kerr has been restricted to a bench role at Chelsea.
However, Montemurro expressed enthusiasm after conversations with his captain, noting a palpable excitement in her voice. "There's something in Sam's voice, just speaking to her on Zoom calls and so on, that just excites me about the fact that she's really excited to come here," he said. "She's really excited to put that jersey on, and really excited to give the public a real showcase of how we're going to play. There's a buzz in the air when you speak to her and it's really exciting."
Squad Balance and Tournament Preparation
Montemurro's 26-player squad for the Women's Asian Cup was unveiled on Wednesday night, featuring familiar faces such as Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Hayley Raso, and Katrina Gorry, alongside Kerr and Fowler. The coach emphasized that the squad was selected with balance in mind, ensuring readiness for various scenarios during the tournament.
He explained that players like Tottenham full-back Charli Grant, who has been sidelined since November due to a knee issue, were not included to avoid carrying injured players. Montemurro stressed that no one in the squad is merely depth; all are prepared to contribute, even if some may see minimal minutes. "The biggest thing for me was to find good balance in the squad, good balance that each scenario is adhered to, meaning that if we get a situation where we lose a player early, or we go a goal down, we've got the opportunity to make those impacts," he said.
With Australia potentially playing six games in 21 days across Perth, Gold Coast, and Sydney if they reach the final, Montemurro indicated that rotation will be necessary due to the tight schedule. He assured that his staff is prepared for multiple scenarios, focusing on both training stimuli and group dynamics to maintain peak performance throughout the competition.
