Matildas already singing to the Montemurro tune
The Joe Montemurro era at the Matildas has officially begun, and the new game plan is music to the ears for midfielder Clare Wheeler.
The Matildas have assembled in Perth ahead of two games against Slovenia and two games against Panama.
The action kicks off on Thursday night when the Matildas host Slovenia at HBF Park, with the match marking Montemurro's first game in charge of the national side.
The four games in Western Australia are an important building block for Montemurro ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2028 Olympics.
Montemurro has already held meetings with his players, and Wheeler is liking the fluid and control-style game plan the former Arsenal, Lyon and Juventus coach is encouraging.
"As a midfielder, you want to get on the ball," Wheeler said.
"So it's great when a coach says that he wants you on the ball. I think that's music to our ears.
"And it's also a challenge ... especially against, opposition where you're under pressure a lot.
"But I think when you have that trust from your coach that believes in the team to be able to do that, it feels good.
"I can't wait to get started."
The Matildas will be without plenty of star power for the games in WA.
Sam Kerr is still recovering from her ruptured ACL and also a more recent injury that required surgery.
Fellow star attacker Mary Fowler (knee) is also out with her own long-term injury, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Cortnee Vine and Katrina Gorry are on leave.
Tameka Yallop (leg) is another player who is absent.
Wheeler is amongst nine players who will only be available for the first two matches of the four-game block.
Nevertheless, Wheeler said the two-week camp will be critical in helping the squad prepare for next year's Asian Cup, which begins on March 1.
"There's not many camps left before Asian Cup, so every camp matters," she said.
"Joe's come in with a wealth of experience, and he has a certain ideology of how he wants to play going forward.
"These first couple of days, it's about taking as much as we can in and with these games it's going to be really good for us to try and implement that.
"It's going to take maybe a bit of time, and that's why we have these games.
"Do I think it's going to be perfect straight off the bat? I don't know. We're going to try our best."
Perth is a happy place for Wheeler, having scored her first international goal at Optus Stadium during the Matildas' 8-0 romp over the Philippines in 2023.
"Honestly, just pure joy," Wheeler said of the goal.
"Hopefully I can do it again."
The Joe Montemurro era at the Matildas has officially begun, and the new game plan is music to the ears for midfielder Clare Wheeler.
The Matildas have assembled in Perth ahead of two games against Slovenia and two games against Panama.
The action kicks off on Thursday night when the Matildas host Slovenia at HBF Park, with the match marking Montemurro's first game in charge of the national side.
The four games in Western Australia are an important building block for Montemurro ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2028 Olympics.
Montemurro has already held meetings with his players, and Wheeler is liking the fluid and control-style game plan the former Arsenal, Lyon and Juventus coach is encouraging.
"As a midfielder, you want to get on the ball," Wheeler said.
"So it's great when a coach says that he wants you on the ball. I think that's music to our ears.
"And it's also a challenge ... especially against, opposition where you're under pressure a lot.
"But I think when you have that trust from your coach that believes in the team to be able to do that, it feels good.
"I can't wait to get started."
The Matildas will be without plenty of star power for the games in WA.
Sam Kerr is still recovering from her ruptured ACL and also a more recent injury that required surgery.
Fellow star attacker Mary Fowler (knee) is also out with her own long-term injury, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Cortnee Vine and Katrina Gorry are on leave.
Tameka Yallop (leg) is another player who is absent.
Wheeler is amongst nine players who will only be available for the first two matches of the four-game block.
Nevertheless, Wheeler said the two-week camp will be critical in helping the squad prepare for next year's Asian Cup, which begins on March 1.
"There's not many camps left before Asian Cup, so every camp matters," she said.
"Joe's come in with a wealth of experience, and he has a certain ideology of how he wants to play going forward.
"These first couple of days, it's about taking as much as we can in and with these games it's going to be really good for us to try and implement that.
"It's going to take maybe a bit of time, and that's why we have these games.
"Do I think it's going to be perfect straight off the bat? I don't know. We're going to try our best."
Perth is a happy place for Wheeler, having scored her first international goal at Optus Stadium during the Matildas' 8-0 romp over the Philippines in 2023.
"Honestly, just pure joy," Wheeler said of the goal.
"Hopefully I can do it again."
The Joe Montemurro era at the Matildas has officially begun, and the new game plan is music to the ears for midfielder Clare Wheeler.
The Matildas have assembled in Perth ahead of two games against Slovenia and two games against Panama.
The action kicks off on Thursday night when the Matildas host Slovenia at HBF Park, with the match marking Montemurro's first game in charge of the national side.
The four games in Western Australia are an important building block for Montemurro ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2028 Olympics.
Montemurro has already held meetings with his players, and Wheeler is liking the fluid and control-style game plan the former Arsenal, Lyon and Juventus coach is encouraging.
"As a midfielder, you want to get on the ball," Wheeler said.
"So it's great when a coach says that he wants you on the ball. I think that's music to our ears.
"And it's also a challenge ... especially against, opposition where you're under pressure a lot.
"But I think when you have that trust from your coach that believes in the team to be able to do that, it feels good.
"I can't wait to get started."
The Matildas will be without plenty of star power for the games in WA.
Sam Kerr is still recovering from her ruptured ACL and also a more recent injury that required surgery.
Fellow star attacker Mary Fowler (knee) is also out with her own long-term injury, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Cortnee Vine and Katrina Gorry are on leave.
Tameka Yallop (leg) is another player who is absent.
Wheeler is amongst nine players who will only be available for the first two matches of the four-game block.
Nevertheless, Wheeler said the two-week camp will be critical in helping the squad prepare for next year's Asian Cup, which begins on March 1.
"There's not many camps left before Asian Cup, so every camp matters," she said.
"Joe's come in with a wealth of experience, and he has a certain ideology of how he wants to play going forward.
"These first couple of days, it's about taking as much as we can in and with these games it's going to be really good for us to try and implement that.
"It's going to take maybe a bit of time, and that's why we have these games.
"Do I think it's going to be perfect straight off the bat? I don't know. We're going to try our best."
Perth is a happy place for Wheeler, having scored her first international goal at Optus Stadium during the Matildas' 8-0 romp over the Philippines in 2023.
"Honestly, just pure joy," Wheeler said of the goal.
"Hopefully I can do it again."
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The Joe Montemurro era at the Matildas has officially begun, and the new game plan is music to the ears for midfielder Clare Wheeler. The Matildas have assembled in Perth ahead of two games against Slovenia and two games against Panama. The action kicks off on Thursday night when the Matildas host Slovenia at HBF Park, with the match marking Montemurro's first game in charge of the national side. The four games in Western Australia are an important building block for Montemurro ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2028 Olympics. Montemurro has already held meetings with his players, and Wheeler is liking the fluid and control-style game plan the former Arsenal, Lyon and Juventus coach is encouraging. "As a midfielder, you want to get on the ball," Wheeler said. "So it's great when a coach says that he wants you on the ball. I think that's music to our ears. "And it's also a challenge ... especially against, opposition where you're under pressure a lot. "But I think when you have that trust from your coach that believes in the team to be able to do that, it feels good. "I can't wait to get started." The Matildas will be without plenty of star power for the games in WA. Sam Kerr is still recovering from her ruptured ACL and also a more recent injury that required surgery. Fellow star attacker Mary Fowler (knee) is also out with her own long-term injury, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Cortnee Vine and Katrina Gorry are on leave. Tameka Yallop (leg) is another player who is absent. Wheeler is amongst nine players who will only be available for the first two matches of the four-game block. Nevertheless, Wheeler said the two-week camp will be critical in helping the squad prepare for next year's Asian Cup, which begins on March 1. "There's not many camps left before Asian Cup, so every camp matters," she said. "Joe's come in with a wealth of experience, and he has a certain ideology of how he wants to play going forward. "These first couple of days, it's about taking as much as we can in and with these games it's going to be really good for us to try and implement that. "It's going to take maybe a bit of time, and that's why we have these games. "Do I think it's going to be perfect straight off the bat? I don't know. We're going to try our best." Perth is a happy place for Wheeler, having scored her first international goal at Optus Stadium during the Matildas' 8-0 romp over the Philippines in 2023. "Honestly, just pure joy," Wheeler said of the goal. "Hopefully I can do it again." The Joe Montemurro era at the Matildas has officially begun, and the new game plan is music to the ears for midfielder Clare Wheeler. The Matildas have assembled in Perth ahead of two games against Slovenia and two games against Panama. The action kicks off on Thursday night when the Matildas host Slovenia at HBF Park, with the match marking Montemurro's first game in charge of the national side. The four games in Western Australia are an important building block for Montemurro ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2028 Olympics. Montemurro has already held meetings with his players, and Wheeler is liking the fluid and control-style game plan the former Arsenal, Lyon and Juventus coach is encouraging. "As a midfielder, you want to get on the ball," Wheeler said. "So it's great when a coach says that he wants you on the ball. I think that's music to our ears. "And it's also a challenge ... especially against, opposition where you're under pressure a lot. "But I think when you have that trust from your coach that believes in the team to be able to do that, it feels good. "I can't wait to get started." The Matildas will be without plenty of star power for the games in WA. Sam Kerr is still recovering from her ruptured ACL and also a more recent injury that required surgery. Fellow star attacker Mary Fowler (knee) is also out with her own long-term injury, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Cortnee Vine and Katrina Gorry are on leave. Tameka Yallop (leg) is another player who is absent. Wheeler is amongst nine players who will only be available for the first two matches of the four-game block. Nevertheless, Wheeler said the two-week camp will be critical in helping the squad prepare for next year's Asian Cup, which begins on March 1. "There's not many camps left before Asian Cup, so every camp matters," she said. "Joe's come in with a wealth of experience, and he has a certain ideology of how he wants to play going forward. "These first couple of days, it's about taking as much as we can in and with these games it's going to be really good for us to try and implement that. "It's going to take maybe a bit of time, and that's why we have these games. "Do I think it's going to be perfect straight off the bat? I don't know. We're going to try our best." Perth is a happy place for Wheeler, having scored her first international goal at Optus Stadium during the Matildas' 8-0 romp over the Philippines in 2023. "Honestly, just pure joy," Wheeler said of the goal. "Hopefully I can do it again." The Joe Montemurro era at the Matildas has officially begun, and the new game plan is music to the ears for midfielder Clare Wheeler. The Matildas have assembled in Perth ahead of two games against Slovenia and two games against Panama. The action kicks off on Thursday night when the Matildas host Slovenia at HBF Park, with the match marking Montemurro's first game in charge of the national side. The four games in Western Australia are an important building block for Montemurro ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2028 Olympics. Montemurro has already held meetings with his players, and Wheeler is liking the fluid and control-style game plan the former Arsenal, Lyon and Juventus coach is encouraging. "As a midfielder, you want to get on the ball," Wheeler said. "So it's great when a coach says that he wants you on the ball. I think that's music to our ears. "And it's also a challenge ... especially against, opposition where you're under pressure a lot. "But I think when you have that trust from your coach that believes in the team to be able to do that, it feels good. "I can't wait to get started." The Matildas will be without plenty of star power for the games in WA. Sam Kerr is still recovering from her ruptured ACL and also a more recent injury that required surgery. Fellow star attacker Mary Fowler (knee) is also out with her own long-term injury, while Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Cortnee Vine and Katrina Gorry are on leave. Tameka Yallop (leg) is another player who is absent. Wheeler is amongst nine players who will only be available for the first two matches of the four-game block. Nevertheless, Wheeler said the two-week camp will be critical in helping the squad prepare for next year's Asian Cup, which begins on March 1. "There's not many camps left before Asian Cup, so every camp matters," she said. "Joe's come in with a wealth of experience, and he has a certain ideology of how he wants to play going forward. "These first couple of days, it's about taking as much as we can in and with these games it's going to be really good for us to try and implement that. "It's going to take maybe a bit of time, and that's why we have these games. "Do I think it's going to be perfect straight off the bat? I don't know. We're going to try our best." Perth is a happy place for Wheeler, having scored her first international goal at Optus Stadium during the Matildas' 8-0 romp over the Philippines in 2023. "Honestly, just pure joy," Wheeler said of the goal. "Hopefully I can do it again."
