CommBank Matildas Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni and defender Alanna Kennedy said that the key thing for the team against Korea Republic during this window is finding positive energy on the pitch.
They were speaking to the media ahead of the opening match against their opponents in Sydney on Friday night.
“We’re really just focused on becoming the Matildas that everyone fell in love with, and everyone loves to watch - being that version of ourselves again,” Kennedy said.
“That starts tomorrow night, and then hopefully next camp as well… and all those things we need to give us the best opportunity to win the Asian Cup next year.”
Her coach agreed, explaining that energy was the most important thing that he was looking for from the team.
“The key thing is – as Alanna eluded to – the energy,” he said.
“We need to see a Matildas team turn up in these two games. I know that sounds really quite simplistic, but that's really the nuts and bolts of it.
“You always analyse things that go well and go badly. The SheBelieves Cup, there were a few things within that tournament - on and off the field - that made it challenging for us.
“So the team has come into this camp, there's been a good energy and it's really important for us tomorrow night to take that energy out onto the field and put a good performance together for the home fans.”
Sermanni was asked about the squad update on Thursday morning that saw Hayley Raso and Ellie Carpenter become unavailable for the matches in this window, while Mackenzie Arnold was awaiting scans after an injury in training.
“Like most things, there's never a dull moment around the team,” he joked.
“Ellie [Carpenter] came in with an ankle that we knew had some issues, but she had played with Lyon, and we were really confident with the information we got, that her ankle would settle down.
“But unfortunately, when you travel halfway around the world and you come in, that ankle just hasn't settled down, and it's just not worth the risk.
“With Hayley [Raso], it was something that she did in the final training session at Tottenham. She didn't feel it was too bad and thought, I'll come in and it'll be okay’. But once we got the MRI, we found it's not and we just can’t take the risk.”
The coach pointed out that while the injuries were disappointing for the players and fans, they would provide opportunities for others to step in as required and would continue to build squad depth ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2026™.
Kennedy was asked about how the team felt about preparing for that tournament given Sermanni’s status as Interim Head Coach.
“We just have to show up every time and roll with what's happening at the time,” she said.
“A lot of us have been under Tom for a long time. Years ago, when I first debuted. For us, it’s just embracing all the time that we get together and making sure that we continue to progress.
“We've been a little bit disappointed with some of the performances over the last couple of windows. For us, this opportunity to play against South Korea at home is an opportunity to turn around our fortunes and try and get some good performances and results under our belt.
“I'm sure FA are looking after that [the coaching search] for us, it's just focusing on what we can do on the pitch.”
She said that taking on Korea Republic as a team that the CommBank Matildas may face at the tournament next year, was ideal preparation.
“We could see ourselves coming up against them next year. And so, to prepare against these types of teams, to play them is important," she said.
“It has come at a good time, where we're really motivated to win a performance in front of our crowd. It’s the right preparation. It’s what we need.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH SCHEDULE | MARCH /APRIL 2025
CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Friday, 4 April 2025
Kick-off: 8.00 pm AEDT
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Monday,7 April2025
Kick-off: 7:30 pm AEST
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
