CommBank Matildas Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni said that he came away from Australia’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil feeling generally “quite positive” after a much improved second-half performance.
“I thought later in the second half, we did really well, I thought we dominated the game,” he said.
“From my perspective, you’re looking ahead at what the team might look like come Asian Cup time, for example.
“Tonight I saw some promising signs from players who probably haven’t had a lot of game time.”
He was asked about how the team can improve in the final third after they were unable to be more clinical with their chances.
“We need a wee bit of time,” he explained.
“You’re making lots of changes with no training session between the last game and this game, apart from a little warm up on the field yesterday.
“It’s a time factor… so players get on the same page with each other, and get used to how each other plays.”
Teagan Micah started her first match in nearly 12 months in this game, replacing Mackenzie Arnold.
Sermanni was asked about the competition in the squad for the goalkeeper role.
“We’ve got two very good goalkeepers playing in the two top leagues in the world, and at two very, very good clubs, so there’s obviously competition there,” he said.
“Then we’ve got young Chloe [Lincoln] coming through as well, who’s got great potential, and a couple of others.
“So we do have some competition in the goalkeeping ranks and that’s a positive thing for us.”
Looking ahead to the two games against Chinese Taipei, Sermanni clarified that eight players will leave camp, with eight more players arriving.
“It’s an opportunity to look at players that have not been starters, and also look at players that have never been in the national team, just to see how they play,” he said.
One of those players who were looked at for the first time on Sunday evening was Natasha Prior, who became CommBank Matildas cap #231 when she was substituted on at half-time.
“This is what’s so important for us – what we haven’t done enough of over the last few years – we’ve got to put these players in an environment,” he said.
“I think Natasha came through fantastically tonight, and I think a couple of others who were fringe players and haven’t had much time at all also really showed up and played well.
“I thought young Daniela Galic in midfield was outstanding. So that’s the stuff we need to do – we need to push these players.
“We need to create competition within the squad, and hopefully in the next week, we may find another one or two.”
CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2024
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Saturday, 7 December 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
