The last time the Matildas faced South Korea in a competitive match, it ended in arguably the most painful defeat in the team’s recent history.
It was one of those days: the ball wouldn’t go in.
The Matildas were knocked out of the Asian Cup by South Korea four years ago.Credit: Getty Images
Amid the shock of that 1-0 defeat and subsequent end of their 2022 Asian Cup campaign, a stony-faced Sam Kerr apologised to her teammates for her wastefulness in front of goal; she says she is still haunted by the thought of the sitter that she missed on that day in Pune, India.
The result led to immediate calls for then-coach Tony Gustavsson to be sacked and triggered widespread introspection about the direction of the Matildas. Had Australia not been co-hosts of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, their quarter-final exit would have meant missing qualification.
Those involved have not forgotten the feeling.
“That was a big moment for us as a team,” said vice-captain Steph Catley.
Sam Kerr had a shocker against South Korea four years ago.Credit: Getty Images
“We’ve definitely learned from that moment, and been holding on to it, and we want to make sure we do everything we can to not feel that again.”
The opportunity to vanquish those ghosts awaits at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Sunday night as they continue to pursue the piece of major silverware that has eluded them.
Catley believes the 2026 model of the Matildas is stronger, deeper and hardened by those previous failures, and ready to take the next step.
“The level is very, very high, and every player who steps foot onto the field is ready to go and ready to play at international level. That’s something potentially that we’ve missed in the past,” she said.
“I think now is probably the best I’ve seen the squad.
Case in point: in years gone by, the loss of star winger Hayley Raso to injury might have been a blow they would struggle to absorb.
Raso won’t be involved against South Korea after entering the tournament’s mandatory seven-day concussion protocol. Coach Joe Montemurro said she had suffered a “light concussion” after copping two clean clearance kicks to the face in quick succession during Australia’s 4-0 win over Iran on Thursday.
Montemurro would, of course, much rather have her available – but he has options.
Hayley Raso has been ruled out of Sunday’s game due to concussion.Credit: Getty Images
The return of Mary Fowler from her ruptured ACL enabled him to roll out a mouthwatering frontline in the Matildas’ last fixture, with her and Caitlin Foord on either side of Kerr. Crunch time has arrived in the Asian Cup – every game from here out shapes the path forward, and after this one, it’s sudden death – so it’s likely he will begin the process of bedding down his preferred XI and allowing Fowler, Foord and Kerr to continue to figure each other out.
“It’s an exciting trio,” he said.
“It’s now about them playing together. It’s about them finding those little bits of combinations with the fullbacks that advance and the midfielders that advance in those areas there. The more they play together, the more they’re combining together, the more they’re connecting, I think we’ll see a world-class top three.”
Montemurro also hinted at possible involvement for both Kyra Cooney-Cross and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, neither of whom featured in Australia’s first two games due to match fitness and injury respectively.
The Matildas sit second in Group A, tied on points with South Korea but trailing by one on goal difference. That means they have to win on Sunday to top the group, an achievement that would come with an added benefit of not having to travel again: the second-placed side, in contrast, will have one less day to prepare for their quarter-final, in Perth.
A draw or loss would not be the end of the world, or end their Asian Cup hopes, but it would surely dent the internal and external belief in this team, which seems to be building nicely as the tournament progresses.
“What an amazing opportunity to be the head coach of this great team and to be in these occasions,” Montemurro said.
“I love game day. Game day is the best day for me. I smile the most. I think it’s the most exciting and I look to enjoy the most out of the game.
“For some reason I don’t feel a lot of pressure in these games. I feel that just being focused on making sure that I’m there to help the players when the occasion comes … I’m going to cherish the moment in the role that I’m in and just love every moment of it.”
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