WA news LIVE: Matildas coach not concerned by errors in 3-0 win in Perth
Latest posts
Latest posts
9.30am
Montemurro not concerned by Matildas' errors in 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth
It wasn't pretty, but new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has given his first match in charge a huge tick after watching his side escape with a 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth.
The understrength Matildas struggled to adapt to Montemurro's possession-heavy game style, with error after error allowing world No.38 Slovenia to unleash a whopping 20 shots across Thursday's match.
The Matildas also created plenty of chances, with Emily Gielnik's third-minute strike getting them off to a flyer, before Holly McNamara and Hayley Raso scored in the dying minutes to seal the win.
Montemurro only had a few days with the squad before his first match, and he is still missing the likes of Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry, Cortnee Vine and Clare Wheeler.
Implementing a new game plan - especially one as pressure-filled as possession-based football - is going to take time.
The former Arsenal, Juventus and Lyon coach was happy with what he saw first-up, saying the errors committed were all part of the process in teaching the players how to handle the heat when on the ball.
'It was an entertaining game. It could have been 6-5 or 7-6 or something,' Montemurro said.
'But for me, it was a very important test, because a team that will play player-on-player in that manner, we have to learn to be better under these circumstances, because a lot of teams will do this now in modern football
'When you want to play a game where you're breaking lines and preparing to break lines and you're playing under pressure, you are going to make mistakes.
'You are going to make errors, and I'm demanding this, because for us to be at the top level, we have to be comfortable doing this.
'We made three or four big errors in that. But I'm not concerned, because it's the process going forward.
'For me, it was the perfect game against a team that's obviously pressured all over the pitch. We have to be comfortable under that pressure.'
When asked whether his team went overboard in trying to maintain possession even in situations of grave danger, Montemurro replied: 'That to me says good things.
'That sends good signals, because they're trying to, at all costs, solve the problems with the ball.
'The positive thing is a lot of Slovenia's chances came from our errors trying to play.
'That's a positive for me. We just polish that stuff up and we'll be able to play against the top teams.'
The Matildas will face Slovenia again in Perth on Sunday, before taking on Panama across two games - one in Bunbury, and the other in Perth.
9.30am
Across Australia and around the world
Here's what's making headlines elsewhere today:
The three Australians accused of murdering a countryman and wounding another inside a luxury Bali villa have been paraded before the media as police say they are still investigating whether the man gunned down was the intended target or the victim of a botched hit.
Australians who join, recruit or fund a white supremacist network that has told its members how to attack politicians and minority groups, will face up to 25 years in prison after the Albanese government listed Terrorgram as a terrorist organisation.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed victory over Israel and said his country had 'delivered a hand slap to America's face' on Thursday, in his first public comments since a ceasefire was declared in the war between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in the war with Iran, saying the outcome created the opportunity for a 'dramatic widening of peace agreements for peace'.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has clashed with reporters over their coverage of the bombing of Iran's nuclear sites, providing new details on the strikes but shedding little light on the damage inflicted.
Trump officials will give their first classified briefing to US Congress about the president's decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, told French radio the agency can no longer assess the degree of damage, but uranium enrichment centrifuges at Fordow are 'no longer operational' because of the power of US strikes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'We're fired up': Rocco tops historic Aussie draft call
Minnesota reckon they got a NBA Draft steal in giant Rocco Zikarsky, who led a historic Australian contingent called during a frantic, 10-pick window. The Brisbane Bullets centre was taken with pick No.45 by the Timberwolves during the second round on Friday (AEST). Fellow Australians Tyrese Proctor (Cleveland, No.49), Alex Toohey (Golden State, No.52) and Lachlan Olbrich (Chicago, No.55) followed soon after. A record 15 Australians were on NBA rosters this season and not since No.7 pick Chris Anstey led the draft charge in 1997 has the country had as many names called in a single draft. The 18-year-old Zikarsky, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn. But, the tallest in the class at 220cm, he was snapped up with the 15th pick of the second round, which Chicago had traded to the Timberwolves. He had worked out almost exclusively at the Timberwolves' facility in the lead-up and, unless he's traded, would have French centre Rudy Gobert at his disposal to learn from. "We had a great workout with him, had him much higher on the board," general manager Tim Connelly said. "Seven foot, three inches (tall) ... we're fired up." Like most second-round picks Zikarski is likely to sign a two-way deal with the club's G League outfit Iowa and won't receive the guaranteed contract of those selected in the top-30. "He could stay overseas, he could do the G league, we want to maximise Iowa, so we're not sure," Connelly said. "But we want to make sure he's going somewhere where his development continues." Sydney guard Toohey impressed in his pre-draft workouts and will link with superstar Steph Curry but, like Zikarsky, will likely need to earn his stripes in the tier below. Olbrich, fresh off an NBL title with Illawarra, will have compatriot Josh Giddey for company at the Bulls while Duke star Proctor is reportedly set for immediate NBA action at the Cavaliers. A 64-win season saw them claim the No.1 seed in the east and Proctor is set to help star guard Donovan Mitchell again challenge for a championship. Proctor was the last of Duke's starting five to be drafted, including top pick Cooper Flagg, in a coup for the college. "Tyrese has had an elite basketball education - from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University," Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) coach Robbie McKinlay, said. "A floor leader, elite shooter and versatile defender, Tyrese has already played on big stages in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and shown he is a big-game player." All four Australian draftees honed their craft at the COE. "To be spoken about as a future NBA prospect, any player needs to have an elite combination of physical tools, skill and basketball IQ and all four tick those boxes," McKinlay said. Minnesota reckon they got a NBA Draft steal in giant Rocco Zikarsky, who led a historic Australian contingent called during a frantic, 10-pick window. The Brisbane Bullets centre was taken with pick No.45 by the Timberwolves during the second round on Friday (AEST). Fellow Australians Tyrese Proctor (Cleveland, No.49), Alex Toohey (Golden State, No.52) and Lachlan Olbrich (Chicago, No.55) followed soon after. A record 15 Australians were on NBA rosters this season and not since No.7 pick Chris Anstey led the draft charge in 1997 has the country had as many names called in a single draft. The 18-year-old Zikarsky, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn. But, the tallest in the class at 220cm, he was snapped up with the 15th pick of the second round, which Chicago had traded to the Timberwolves. He had worked out almost exclusively at the Timberwolves' facility in the lead-up and, unless he's traded, would have French centre Rudy Gobert at his disposal to learn from. "We had a great workout with him, had him much higher on the board," general manager Tim Connelly said. "Seven foot, three inches (tall) ... we're fired up." Like most second-round picks Zikarski is likely to sign a two-way deal with the club's G League outfit Iowa and won't receive the guaranteed contract of those selected in the top-30. "He could stay overseas, he could do the G league, we want to maximise Iowa, so we're not sure," Connelly said. "But we want to make sure he's going somewhere where his development continues." Sydney guard Toohey impressed in his pre-draft workouts and will link with superstar Steph Curry but, like Zikarsky, will likely need to earn his stripes in the tier below. Olbrich, fresh off an NBL title with Illawarra, will have compatriot Josh Giddey for company at the Bulls while Duke star Proctor is reportedly set for immediate NBA action at the Cavaliers. A 64-win season saw them claim the No.1 seed in the east and Proctor is set to help star guard Donovan Mitchell again challenge for a championship. Proctor was the last of Duke's starting five to be drafted, including top pick Cooper Flagg, in a coup for the college. "Tyrese has had an elite basketball education - from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University," Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) coach Robbie McKinlay, said. "A floor leader, elite shooter and versatile defender, Tyrese has already played on big stages in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and shown he is a big-game player." All four Australian draftees honed their craft at the COE. "To be spoken about as a future NBA prospect, any player needs to have an elite combination of physical tools, skill and basketball IQ and all four tick those boxes," McKinlay said. Minnesota reckon they got a NBA Draft steal in giant Rocco Zikarsky, who led a historic Australian contingent called during a frantic, 10-pick window. The Brisbane Bullets centre was taken with pick No.45 by the Timberwolves during the second round on Friday (AEST). Fellow Australians Tyrese Proctor (Cleveland, No.49), Alex Toohey (Golden State, No.52) and Lachlan Olbrich (Chicago, No.55) followed soon after. A record 15 Australians were on NBA rosters this season and not since No.7 pick Chris Anstey led the draft charge in 1997 has the country had as many names called in a single draft. The 18-year-old Zikarsky, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn. But, the tallest in the class at 220cm, he was snapped up with the 15th pick of the second round, which Chicago had traded to the Timberwolves. He had worked out almost exclusively at the Timberwolves' facility in the lead-up and, unless he's traded, would have French centre Rudy Gobert at his disposal to learn from. "We had a great workout with him, had him much higher on the board," general manager Tim Connelly said. "Seven foot, three inches (tall) ... we're fired up." Like most second-round picks Zikarski is likely to sign a two-way deal with the club's G League outfit Iowa and won't receive the guaranteed contract of those selected in the top-30. "He could stay overseas, he could do the G league, we want to maximise Iowa, so we're not sure," Connelly said. "But we want to make sure he's going somewhere where his development continues." Sydney guard Toohey impressed in his pre-draft workouts and will link with superstar Steph Curry but, like Zikarsky, will likely need to earn his stripes in the tier below. Olbrich, fresh off an NBL title with Illawarra, will have compatriot Josh Giddey for company at the Bulls while Duke star Proctor is reportedly set for immediate NBA action at the Cavaliers. A 64-win season saw them claim the No.1 seed in the east and Proctor is set to help star guard Donovan Mitchell again challenge for a championship. Proctor was the last of Duke's starting five to be drafted, including top pick Cooper Flagg, in a coup for the college. "Tyrese has had an elite basketball education - from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University," Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) coach Robbie McKinlay, said. "A floor leader, elite shooter and versatile defender, Tyrese has already played on big stages in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and shown he is a big-game player." All four Australian draftees honed their craft at the COE. "To be spoken about as a future NBA prospect, any player needs to have an elite combination of physical tools, skill and basketball IQ and all four tick those boxes," McKinlay said. Minnesota reckon they got a NBA Draft steal in giant Rocco Zikarsky, who led a historic Australian contingent called during a frantic, 10-pick window. The Brisbane Bullets centre was taken with pick No.45 by the Timberwolves during the second round on Friday (AEST). Fellow Australians Tyrese Proctor (Cleveland, No.49), Alex Toohey (Golden State, No.52) and Lachlan Olbrich (Chicago, No.55) followed soon after. A record 15 Australians were on NBA rosters this season and not since No.7 pick Chris Anstey led the draft charge in 1997 has the country had as many names called in a single draft. The 18-year-old Zikarsky, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn. But, the tallest in the class at 220cm, he was snapped up with the 15th pick of the second round, which Chicago had traded to the Timberwolves. He had worked out almost exclusively at the Timberwolves' facility in the lead-up and, unless he's traded, would have French centre Rudy Gobert at his disposal to learn from. "We had a great workout with him, had him much higher on the board," general manager Tim Connelly said. "Seven foot, three inches (tall) ... we're fired up." Like most second-round picks Zikarski is likely to sign a two-way deal with the club's G League outfit Iowa and won't receive the guaranteed contract of those selected in the top-30. "He could stay overseas, he could do the G league, we want to maximise Iowa, so we're not sure," Connelly said. "But we want to make sure he's going somewhere where his development continues." Sydney guard Toohey impressed in his pre-draft workouts and will link with superstar Steph Curry but, like Zikarsky, will likely need to earn his stripes in the tier below. Olbrich, fresh off an NBL title with Illawarra, will have compatriot Josh Giddey for company at the Bulls while Duke star Proctor is reportedly set for immediate NBA action at the Cavaliers. A 64-win season saw them claim the No.1 seed in the east and Proctor is set to help star guard Donovan Mitchell again challenge for a championship. Proctor was the last of Duke's starting five to be drafted, including top pick Cooper Flagg, in a coup for the college. "Tyrese has had an elite basketball education - from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University," Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) coach Robbie McKinlay, said. "A floor leader, elite shooter and versatile defender, Tyrese has already played on big stages in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and shown he is a big-game player." All four Australian draftees honed their craft at the COE. "To be spoken about as a future NBA prospect, any player needs to have an elite combination of physical tools, skill and basketball IQ and all four tick those boxes," McKinlay said.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'I have enough on my plate': Lions won't take the bait
British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell isn't afraid to give his own players a bake, but the former England forward is doing his best to steer well clear of any war of words with Australian rugby. The Lions kick off their Australian tour on Saturday night when they take on the Western Force in front of more than 40,000 fans at Perth's Optus Stadium. Farrell was scathing of his team in the wake of their shock 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week, saying the error-laden effort was simply unacceptable. But he is keeping his powder dry when it comes to any external pot shots or controversies that fall outside of his inner sanctum. This week, Lions chief executive Ben Calveley sent a stern warning to Rugby Australia that it would be breaking an agreement if it didn't release a strong cohort of Wallabies for the various tour games. Farrell didn't bite when asked about the issue. "For me, I've got enough on my plate making sure that we deal with ourselves, certainly at this period of the early stages of the tour," Farrell said. "I understand your question, but I'll allow the powers that be who know all the answers to the what-ifs (to deal with it) and get on with it." And when former Wallabies captain Will Genia launched a grenade by claiming Joe Schmidt's Australian team has "better athletes" than the Lions, Farrell was at his Zen best in taming the waters. "You would expect Will to say that. He's always going to back his own countrymen," Farrell said. "If he didn't, that'd be a story, wouldn't it? "It's going to be constant ... people backing their own, and that's how it should be. "He knows the Australian players better than me, because he's probably played with most of them, so he's obviously very impressed by them. "But I suppose he's not been in our camp, either. So it's very hard to judge, isn't it, unless you've been in both sides." One thing Farrell was willing to talk up was the challenge of taking on the Force, who will boast Wallaby squad members Ben Donaldson, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White and Dylan Pietsch. "The side's a great side," Farrell said. "It's full of plenty of Australians that are in the here-and-now, and people who have ambitions to be future Australian Test players." Irish and Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan, who will captain the side against the Force in what will also mark his Lions debut, is also expecting a big challenge. "I think it's important to know where the opposition's mindset is and how they approach a game that only comes around every 12 years, like the Western Force," Sheehan said. "I'm sure they'll be 150 per cent of what they usually are, and they'll be flying into it. "You mightn't have seen it in tapes of what they're able to produce, but I'm sure that bit of extra hunger can produce some powerful things. "They would have been eyeing this game up since they probably first stepped into that Western Force change-room ..., but I don't want them to think that they're going to be hungrier than us." Farrell has named five Lions debutants in his starting XV against the Force: Sheehan, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van Der Flier. Four more players are set to make their Lions debuts off the bench. The Force will be without former Wallabies star Kurtley Beale, who injured his hamstring at training. British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell isn't afraid to give his own players a bake, but the former England forward is doing his best to steer well clear of any war of words with Australian rugby. The Lions kick off their Australian tour on Saturday night when they take on the Western Force in front of more than 40,000 fans at Perth's Optus Stadium. Farrell was scathing of his team in the wake of their shock 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week, saying the error-laden effort was simply unacceptable. But he is keeping his powder dry when it comes to any external pot shots or controversies that fall outside of his inner sanctum. This week, Lions chief executive Ben Calveley sent a stern warning to Rugby Australia that it would be breaking an agreement if it didn't release a strong cohort of Wallabies for the various tour games. Farrell didn't bite when asked about the issue. "For me, I've got enough on my plate making sure that we deal with ourselves, certainly at this period of the early stages of the tour," Farrell said. "I understand your question, but I'll allow the powers that be who know all the answers to the what-ifs (to deal with it) and get on with it." And when former Wallabies captain Will Genia launched a grenade by claiming Joe Schmidt's Australian team has "better athletes" than the Lions, Farrell was at his Zen best in taming the waters. "You would expect Will to say that. He's always going to back his own countrymen," Farrell said. "If he didn't, that'd be a story, wouldn't it? "It's going to be constant ... people backing their own, and that's how it should be. "He knows the Australian players better than me, because he's probably played with most of them, so he's obviously very impressed by them. "But I suppose he's not been in our camp, either. So it's very hard to judge, isn't it, unless you've been in both sides." One thing Farrell was willing to talk up was the challenge of taking on the Force, who will boast Wallaby squad members Ben Donaldson, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White and Dylan Pietsch. "The side's a great side," Farrell said. "It's full of plenty of Australians that are in the here-and-now, and people who have ambitions to be future Australian Test players." Irish and Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan, who will captain the side against the Force in what will also mark his Lions debut, is also expecting a big challenge. "I think it's important to know where the opposition's mindset is and how they approach a game that only comes around every 12 years, like the Western Force," Sheehan said. "I'm sure they'll be 150 per cent of what they usually are, and they'll be flying into it. "You mightn't have seen it in tapes of what they're able to produce, but I'm sure that bit of extra hunger can produce some powerful things. "They would have been eyeing this game up since they probably first stepped into that Western Force change-room ..., but I don't want them to think that they're going to be hungrier than us." Farrell has named five Lions debutants in his starting XV against the Force: Sheehan, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van Der Flier. Four more players are set to make their Lions debuts off the bench. The Force will be without former Wallabies star Kurtley Beale, who injured his hamstring at training. British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell isn't afraid to give his own players a bake, but the former England forward is doing his best to steer well clear of any war of words with Australian rugby. The Lions kick off their Australian tour on Saturday night when they take on the Western Force in front of more than 40,000 fans at Perth's Optus Stadium. Farrell was scathing of his team in the wake of their shock 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week, saying the error-laden effort was simply unacceptable. But he is keeping his powder dry when it comes to any external pot shots or controversies that fall outside of his inner sanctum. This week, Lions chief executive Ben Calveley sent a stern warning to Rugby Australia that it would be breaking an agreement if it didn't release a strong cohort of Wallabies for the various tour games. Farrell didn't bite when asked about the issue. "For me, I've got enough on my plate making sure that we deal with ourselves, certainly at this period of the early stages of the tour," Farrell said. "I understand your question, but I'll allow the powers that be who know all the answers to the what-ifs (to deal with it) and get on with it." And when former Wallabies captain Will Genia launched a grenade by claiming Joe Schmidt's Australian team has "better athletes" than the Lions, Farrell was at his Zen best in taming the waters. "You would expect Will to say that. He's always going to back his own countrymen," Farrell said. "If he didn't, that'd be a story, wouldn't it? "It's going to be constant ... people backing their own, and that's how it should be. "He knows the Australian players better than me, because he's probably played with most of them, so he's obviously very impressed by them. "But I suppose he's not been in our camp, either. So it's very hard to judge, isn't it, unless you've been in both sides." One thing Farrell was willing to talk up was the challenge of taking on the Force, who will boast Wallaby squad members Ben Donaldson, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White and Dylan Pietsch. "The side's a great side," Farrell said. "It's full of plenty of Australians that are in the here-and-now, and people who have ambitions to be future Australian Test players." Irish and Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan, who will captain the side against the Force in what will also mark his Lions debut, is also expecting a big challenge. "I think it's important to know where the opposition's mindset is and how they approach a game that only comes around every 12 years, like the Western Force," Sheehan said. "I'm sure they'll be 150 per cent of what they usually are, and they'll be flying into it. "You mightn't have seen it in tapes of what they're able to produce, but I'm sure that bit of extra hunger can produce some powerful things. "They would have been eyeing this game up since they probably first stepped into that Western Force change-room ..., but I don't want them to think that they're going to be hungrier than us." Farrell has named five Lions debutants in his starting XV against the Force: Sheehan, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van Der Flier. Four more players are set to make their Lions debuts off the bench. The Force will be without former Wallabies star Kurtley Beale, who injured his hamstring at training.
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Giant Queensland teenager Rocco Zikarsky one of four Aussies snapped up in NBA draft
Australian teenager Rocco Zikarsky will start his NBA career at Minnesota , having been recruited with pick No.45 in the draft. Zikarsky, Australian basketball's next big thing who is 2.2 metres tall, was one of four players from the NBL's Next Star program to declare for the draft. The 18-year-old, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons with Brisbane, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. But Zikarsky was snapped up with the 15th pick of the second round, which Chicago had traded to by the Timberwolves. Fellow Australians Tyrese Proctor, Alex Toohey and Lachlan Olbrich were drafted soon after. Proctor went to the Cleveland Cavaliers with pick No.49, while Sydney Kings talent Toohey will link up with superstar Steph Curry after being selected by Golden State with pick No.52. Illawarra Hawk Olbrich (pick No.55) will join compatriot Josh Giddey at Chicago. It is the first time since 1997 that four Australians have been taken in the same NBA draft (in 1997 it was Chris Anstey, Paul Rogers, Ben Pepper, and C.J. Bruton). In this year's draft, Zikarsky was the tallest player and his new club thought he was a potential first-round pick. Timberwolves president Tim Connelly was thrilled his club was able to land the young gun. 'We're super lucky to add Rocco Zikarsky, 18-year-old kid out of Brisbane, you know, seven foot three, no shoes, was a very good competitive swimmer, I think, near Olympic level prior to getting into basketball.,' he said. 'So we're fired up. 'I think he's certainly a long-term player, but a guy who trained locally, so he has an appreciation for Minnesota. 'We had him a much higher on the board. And again, it's fun to add young players with that energy, and we're fired up.' Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence coach Robbie McKinlay oversaw the development of the young Australians stars. 'To be spoken about as a future NBA prospect, any player needs to have an elite combination of physical tools, skill, and basketball IQ — and all four tick those boxes,' McKinlay said. 'Rocco obviously has size, agility, and terrific defensive instincts and continues to expand an impressive offensive game. 'Tyrese has had an elite basketball education — from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University. '(He's) a floor leader, elite shooter, and versatile defender ... and (already) shown he is a big-game player. 'Alex is such a versatile player at both ends of the floor and fits perfectly in the 'positionless' trend of the global game. You saw in the NBL with the Kings that he has the ability to make big plays and is an explosive athlete in the open court. 'And Lachlan showed in the Hawks' NBL title run that he is a fierce competitor with the ability to play inside and on the perimeter, and guard multiple positions.' The 2025 quartet will report to NBA camps from October 1, joining a strong Australian contingent. Fourteen Australians were on NBA rosters this past season.
