Matildas to face South Korea in Asian Cup group stage
After the draw made on Tuesday night at Sydney's Town Hall, Australia will first face the Philippines before playing Iran.
Joe Montemurro's team will host the opener against the Philippines, coached by Melburnian Mark Torcaso, at Perth's Optus Stadium on March 1.
The Matildas will then take on Iran at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 5, before facing South Korea at Sydney's Accor Stadium on March 8.
Montemurro's side at least avoid a group stage meeting with defending champions China, who were drawn in Group B.
China is also coached by an Australian in Ante Milicic.
World No.7 Japan, the highest-ranked team in the tournament, were drawn in Group C with Vietnam, India and Taiwan.
"In any tournament, the expectations were what they were," Montemurro said.
"I couldn't predict that I wanted this team or that team.
"Now it's a little bit clearer, the style of teams we're playing, and it's a little bit clearer on how we approach the build-up into it."
Looking to repeat their 2010 trophy run, the Matildas - ranked world No.15 - have just two international windows to find their feet under Montemurro before the Asian Cup.
Australia netted two wins, a draw and a loss against Slovenia and Panama in their first batch of friendlies under Montemurro.
The Matildas were lucky to escape with an error-riddled 3-0 win over world No.38 Slovenia, and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against them.
With a handful of players departing halfway through the window, Australia then slumped to a shock 1-0 loss to world No.56 Panama before pulling off a 3-2 comeback win in the second match.
Australia did not play China in the last Asian Cup in India, but suffered a shock 1-0 quarter-final loss to South Korea.
The Matildas have since defeated South Korea, claiming a clean sweep of their two-game friendly series in May without conceding a goal.
Still, Montemurro expects the heartache of their 2022 defeat still lingers for the players.
"Look, I think they've got that at the back of their mind," Montemurro said.
"They know what they need to do in terms of fixing what was not a positive tournament in India.
"We've got the advantage of being at home. We've got the crowd behind us."
The Matildas have already met the Philippines in Perth, thrashing Torcaso's side 8-0 in October, 2023.
"That was probably one of the third or fourth games of us being in charge as a staff," Torcaso said.
"We got thrown straight into it and we got Australia in front of 60,000 at Optus, so we've got a lot to come back to and fix from that last game.
"We've definitely improved since then, so for us, it will be just going there and making sure we focus on us and do the best that we can and represent our country with pride."
Australia are one of 12 teams split across three groups to have qualified for next year's tournament, which will run until the final at Accor Stadium on March 21.
The top two teams in each of the groups, joined by the two best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stages.
DRAW FOR THE 2026 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP:
Group A - Australia, South Korea, Iran, Philippines
Group B - North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan
Group C - Japan, Vietnam, India, Taiwan
The Matildas have been pitted against the team that ended their last Women's Asian Cup campaign, facing South Korea in the group stage of the 2026 tournament.
After the draw made on Tuesday night at Sydney's Town Hall, Australia will first face the Philippines before playing Iran.
Joe Montemurro's team will host the opener against the Philippines, coached by Melburnian Mark Torcaso, at Perth's Optus Stadium on March 1.
The Matildas will then take on Iran at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 5, before facing South Korea at Sydney's Accor Stadium on March 8.
Montemurro's side at least avoid a group stage meeting with defending champions China, who were drawn in Group B.
China is also coached by an Australian in Ante Milicic.
World No.7 Japan, the highest-ranked team in the tournament, were drawn in Group C with Vietnam, India and Taiwan.
"In any tournament, the expectations were what they were," Montemurro said.
"I couldn't predict that I wanted this team or that team.
"Now it's a little bit clearer, the style of teams we're playing, and it's a little bit clearer on how we approach the build-up into it."
Looking to repeat their 2010 trophy run, the Matildas - ranked world No.15 - have just two international windows to find their feet under Montemurro before the Asian Cup.
Australia netted two wins, a draw and a loss against Slovenia and Panama in their first batch of friendlies under Montemurro.
The Matildas were lucky to escape with an error-riddled 3-0 win over world No.38 Slovenia, and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against them.
With a handful of players departing halfway through the window, Australia then slumped to a shock 1-0 loss to world No.56 Panama before pulling off a 3-2 comeback win in the second match.
Australia did not play China in the last Asian Cup in India, but suffered a shock 1-0 quarter-final loss to South Korea.
The Matildas have since defeated South Korea, claiming a clean sweep of their two-game friendly series in May without conceding a goal.
Still, Montemurro expects the heartache of their 2022 defeat still lingers for the players.
"Look, I think they've got that at the back of their mind," Montemurro said.
"They know what they need to do in terms of fixing what was not a positive tournament in India.
"We've got the advantage of being at home. We've got the crowd behind us."
The Matildas have already met the Philippines in Perth, thrashing Torcaso's side 8-0 in October, 2023.
"That was probably one of the third or fourth games of us being in charge as a staff," Torcaso said.
"We got thrown straight into it and we got Australia in front of 60,000 at Optus, so we've got a lot to come back to and fix from that last game.
"We've definitely improved since then, so for us, it will be just going there and making sure we focus on us and do the best that we can and represent our country with pride."
Australia are one of 12 teams split across three groups to have qualified for next year's tournament, which will run until the final at Accor Stadium on March 21.
The top two teams in each of the groups, joined by the two best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stages.
DRAW FOR THE 2026 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP:
Group A - Australia, South Korea, Iran, Philippines
Group B - North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan
Group C - Japan, Vietnam, India, Taiwan
The Matildas have been pitted against the team that ended their last Women's Asian Cup campaign, facing South Korea in the group stage of the 2026 tournament.
After the draw made on Tuesday night at Sydney's Town Hall, Australia will first face the Philippines before playing Iran.
Joe Montemurro's team will host the opener against the Philippines, coached by Melburnian Mark Torcaso, at Perth's Optus Stadium on March 1.
The Matildas will then take on Iran at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 5, before facing South Korea at Sydney's Accor Stadium on March 8.
Montemurro's side at least avoid a group stage meeting with defending champions China, who were drawn in Group B.
China is also coached by an Australian in Ante Milicic.
World No.7 Japan, the highest-ranked team in the tournament, were drawn in Group C with Vietnam, India and Taiwan.
"In any tournament, the expectations were what they were," Montemurro said.
"I couldn't predict that I wanted this team or that team.
"Now it's a little bit clearer, the style of teams we're playing, and it's a little bit clearer on how we approach the build-up into it."
Looking to repeat their 2010 trophy run, the Matildas - ranked world No.15 - have just two international windows to find their feet under Montemurro before the Asian Cup.
Australia netted two wins, a draw and a loss against Slovenia and Panama in their first batch of friendlies under Montemurro.
The Matildas were lucky to escape with an error-riddled 3-0 win over world No.38 Slovenia, and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against them.
With a handful of players departing halfway through the window, Australia then slumped to a shock 1-0 loss to world No.56 Panama before pulling off a 3-2 comeback win in the second match.
Australia did not play China in the last Asian Cup in India, but suffered a shock 1-0 quarter-final loss to South Korea.
The Matildas have since defeated South Korea, claiming a clean sweep of their two-game friendly series in May without conceding a goal.
Still, Montemurro expects the heartache of their 2022 defeat still lingers for the players.
"Look, I think they've got that at the back of their mind," Montemurro said.
"They know what they need to do in terms of fixing what was not a positive tournament in India.
"We've got the advantage of being at home. We've got the crowd behind us."
The Matildas have already met the Philippines in Perth, thrashing Torcaso's side 8-0 in October, 2023.
"That was probably one of the third or fourth games of us being in charge as a staff," Torcaso said.
"We got thrown straight into it and we got Australia in front of 60,000 at Optus, so we've got a lot to come back to and fix from that last game.
"We've definitely improved since then, so for us, it will be just going there and making sure we focus on us and do the best that we can and represent our country with pride."
Australia are one of 12 teams split across three groups to have qualified for next year's tournament, which will run until the final at Accor Stadium on March 21.
The top two teams in each of the groups, joined by the two best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stages.
DRAW FOR THE 2026 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP:
Group A - Australia, South Korea, Iran, Philippines
Group B - North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan
Group C - Japan, Vietnam, India, Taiwan
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
2 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
How Westpac hit CBA for six in Cricket Australia sponsor deal
It was a devastating fast ball, delivered by Westpac chief executive Anthony Miller, that took out his rival Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn's middle stump. Westpac, the oldest of the nation's largest banks, is now officially the flagship sponsor of Australian cricket, ending a 37-year innings by CBA in that role. The loss of the cricket sponsorship is understood to have left Comyn fuming, and means that Westpac, under the leadership of Miller, now not only sponsors the cricket but also rugby league.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Cheers at last for Olympians who defied Moscow boycott
Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him."
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Unveiled: Every young gun invited to this year's AFL draft combine
Almost half of this year's AFL draft combine invitees are from Victoria, headlined by potential top-10 picks Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Harry Dean, Josh Lindsay and Oliver Greeves. The league has handpicked 64 prospects from across the country – including 19 from Victoria Metro's national under-18 championships squad, and nine Victoria Country representatives – to attend the combine in Melbourne from October 3 to 5. Gippsland Power midfielder Duursma is the latest AFL/W prospect from his family, behind siblings Xavier (Essendon), Yasmin (Carlton) and Zane (North Melbourne), and is a genuine contender to be the No.1 pick. Dean is the son of dual Carlton premiership player Peter and eligible to join the Blues as a father-son selection. Like his father, the 17-year-old is a key defender and his strong championships form means Carlton will almost certainly have to match an early bid for him. The early favourite to be this year's No.1 selection is classy Gold Coast academy product Zeke Uwland, brother of current Sun Bodhi. Uwland, who is likened to Sydney star Errol Gulden, missed this year's championships recovering from a back stress fracture, but was an under-18 All-Australian in 2024 and made his return in the VFL last weekend. Another Gold Coast academy prospect, speedster Dylan Patterson, is also headed to the combine and a potential top-five selection, so the Suns are poised to add two more top-line teenagers to their emerging list. After securing father-son pair Will and Levi Ashcroft in recent years, the Brisbane Lions are set to add another blue-chip midfielder, Daniel Annable, who finished equal-second with Victoria Metro's Greeves behind South Australian onballer Dyson Sharp for the Larke Medal at the championships.
