The Joe Montemurro era for the Matildas began on a positive note with a 3-0 victory over Slovenia at HBF Park in Perth on Thursday, June 26, 2025. In front of 8678 fans, the Matildas took their first steps under their new coach, showcasing glimpses of a new identity, although the performance was not without its challenges.
Emily Gielnik opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, a fitting reward for her efforts as one of Australia's best players on the night. Gielnik converted from close range after a corner kick caused a scramble in the six-yard box. However, Slovenia proved to be a stubborn opponent, particularly in the second half, where they were gifted several chances due to Australian errors. Fortunately, they were unable to capitalize on these opportunities.
The Matildas' victory was sealed with a late flurry of goals. Holly McNamara, a substitute, scored her first international goal in the 86th minute, heading home a cross from Hayley Raso. Just a minute later, Raso added a third goal, weaving through the midfield before unleashing a shot from outside the box.
While the scoreline might suggest a comfortable win, the match was not always smooth sailing for the Matildas. The team is clearly in a transitional phase, adapting to Montemurro's emphasis on possession-based football and playing out from the back. This approach was evident from the early stages of the game, with Alanna Kennedy's pass to McNamara in the second minute leading to a chance for Amy Sayer.
However, the Matildas' commitment to retaining possession sometimes led to sloppy turnovers and defensive lapses, which Slovenia were unable to punish. Montemurro will undoubtedly be concerned about these errors as he seeks to implement his new system. There were moments where the Matildas seemed to prioritize going backwards rather than finding forward passes, creating problems when Slovenia managed to intercept.
Despite the challenges, Montemurro can take encouragement from the team's intent to retain possession and build from the back. The clean sheet is also a positive, providing a foundation to build upon as he continues to instill his philosophy. Ellie Carpenter, who previously worked with Montemurro at Lyon, noted the rapid implementation of a new style of play and rhythm within just a few days of training.
Montemurro himself acknowledged the game as a valuable benchmark and the official start of the team's build-up for the 2026 Asian Cup. He emphasized the importance of instilling new ideas while maintaining a winning mentality, particularly when playing at home. The upcoming friendlies against Slovenia and Panama will provide further opportunities for Montemurro to assess his squad and refine his approach ahead of the Asian Cup. With a mix of experienced players, emerging talents, and potential debutants, Montemurro is looking to create a challenging environment where players compete for spots and demonstrate their commitment to the Matildas.
The match also served as a homecoming for the Matildas, marking their first appearance in Perth since the successful AFC Women's Olympic Qualifiers in 2023. The series of friendlies in Western Australia is expected to boost the local economy and provide fans with a chance to see the team in action before the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Western Australia.
