Montemurro: More high level games important for our development

The CommBank Matildas have learned their group stage opponents for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Los Angeles 2028, drawn in a group with Japan, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.

In a new format of Olympic Qualifying, two groups of four will contest for two automatic spots at Los Angeles 2028™. The runners up of each group will then have a chance to qualify via a two-legged Asian play-off, and an intercontinental play-off.

CommBank Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro said that it was an “advantage” to play more competitive, high-level games in Olympic qualifying.

“We get more high-level games, and obviously we can plan a lot better in regard to the teams that we're playing,” he said.

“The reality of a qualification process is something that's very important for our development.”

“They are real scenarios where we've got to go to difficult parts of the world to play, get a result, and then have the opportunity to play at home. From my perspective, it's just an add-on and a development moving forward for our preparation.”

He explained that being able to play some games on home soil throughout the group stage was a distinct advantage.

“We implore all the Matildas fans to come out and support us because they are important games,” he said.

He finished by expressing the importance of more competitive games for depth in the squad.

“It's really vital for our squad depth, and very vital to expose players - especially our younger players - to as much international football as possible,” he said.

“So these are real opportunities where they can develop into into a Matilda. But it's very important for the greater squad because they are obviously high level and important qualification games.”