Vice-captain Emily van Egmond said that Argentina will be a “tough opponent” ahead of the CommBank Matildas two-match series.
The midfielder was speaking to media on Monday in Melbourne ahead of the first match at Marvel Stadium on Friday.
“If you look at their last round of international friendlies against Canada, beat them 1-0,” Van Egmond said.
“So they're going to be a tough opponent for us, a good challenge, and one that we're very excited for.”
She said she was anticipating a tough, physical battle.
“I think it'll be a physical game again, probably not too dissimilar to Brazil,” she predicted.
“They’re quite street savvy. It's a good opportunity for us - [it is] two other friendlies to get under our belt for the Asian Cup, and to play against different opposition is always nice.”
Most of the squad have now arrived in Melbourne to commence training. However, the Arsenal trio of Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross will arrive on Wednesday evening after their UEFA Women’s Champions League triumph over the weekend.
Van Egmond said that she was very happy for the success of her teammates.
“It's a huge credit to them,” she said.
“They've worked so hard. I’m really, really happy for the girls to be able to experience that. Not a lot of people in their careers would even get to play in the Champions League. So that they’re a winner is amazing.
“I read a stat that there's only been seven winners in Australian football history, so to be a part of that is awesome. Obviously, Ellie [Carpenter]’s won it before as well. So to have four girls flying the flag there is unbelievable.”
Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni is set to be in charge of his 150th CommBank Matildas game on Friday.
He previously coached the team between 1994 and 1997, and again between 2005 and 2012, where he gave a number of the current squad, including Van Egmond, their international debuts.
“Tommy’s obviously been around for what feels like forever,” she joked.
“They won the Asian Cup in 2010, which was a massive achievement. He’s blooded through a lot of the girls now that are within the team, including myself, and he's been fantastic whenever he's been in the role.
“To have him back here on home soil, to be a part of his 150th game, is a little bit fitting.”
With a number of absences from this camp, it has provided opportunities for young players such as Kahli Johnson and Isabel Gomez to show what they can do on the international stage.
Van Egmond said that it has been fantastic to see them come into camp and gain experience.
“They'll probably tell you themselves that it's a step up to international football from club football, especially for those playing in the A-League here,” she said.
“But it's awesome for them to come in and to get a taste of what it's really like. The investment in women's football is growing, and it's only going to continue. If we want to be a serious country, to keep up with the rest of them, then we're going to have to keep going to the next generation.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH SCHEDULE | MAY / JUNE 2025
Match One
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Friday, 30 May 2025
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
Match Two
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Monday, 2 June 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
