CommBank Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro said that the work that the team has done since he took the reins mid-year has elevated the squad "holistically" ahead of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™.
He was speaking to the media in Adelaide after the team's 2-0 victory over New Zealand in their final action of 2025.
"The beauty of this squad is that we've now elevated the squad holistically in a big way, where we've got a good group of players that can fit into all different areas, and can come into all different situations, understanding the style and the ideas we're trying to we're trying to put in," he said.
"I'm in a privileged position to say - 'I want to play a little bit more proactive in these areas,' or 'I want to be able to protect these areas.' I can do it because we have the quality of players to do it."
He emphasised that the plan was to continue to test out different formations and plans ahead of the Asian Cup next year.
"We wanted to paint as many scenarios as we can going into the Asian Cup," he said.
"We tinkered with a few personnel changes tonight, which was sort of the idea - to see the last bit of what we're trying to do in terms of the way we want to play.
"It was good because it was a different New Zealand in regard to the way they set up. They set up a lot deeper, with a lot more density in midfield. We had to find different solutions. Even situations where Sam [Kerr], in the first half, was coming deeper to pull players out where we could find space. I'm pleased that we found the solutions. I'm pleased that we were still risky and proactive."
One of the positional changes that Montemurro started with was having Alanna Kennedy as a holding midfielder from the start. The plan paid off, with Kennedy scoring the opening goal in the first half.
"Alana sitting in front of the back two gives it that little bit of security, but more importantly, it allows us to break lines a little bit higher," he explained.
"It allows our centre-backs to actually drive in or be in proactive situations by having her there, and that's hard to defend. It's hard to defend because you go and defend that line, and then all of a sudden, spaces open up - but it's someone coming from behind, creating that space. That was good tonight.
"They're so good with the ball. They're so good at finding these little spaces, and so good at breaking lines. They're so good at one-on-one defending. So we were always going to find overloads in the attacking scenario."
He took time to praise the impact of Kerr, who started her first match on home soil in 736 days in Adelaide.
"She brings this level of confidence within the group," he said.
"Everyone just feels a little bit taller, stronger, better having Sam around. She's an amazing leader. She's a bit cheeky too - which is good! She brings a little bit of banter to the group.
"Obviously, her footballing qualities are second to none. To have her back playing at her best is what I think she really wants, and just being back on the park is what she really wants.
"I'm so proud to have her as part of this lead-up into the tournament and part of these last couple of camps. It's just great to have her back."
The team have no games scheduled now until the start of the Asian Cup in March. Montemurro said that, given the work the team has put in over the last few windows, he wished the tournament were next week instead.
"I wish the tournament were next week, I'll be honest with you," he said.
"The buzz that's been in the camp this week, the energy, the football, the growth - and the players themselves. They're just an amazing group. They really are. So we're just going to have to keep the information going.
"We made sure that tonight we left some good memories, because it's a long time between now and the Asian Cup. So we wanted to finish it on a positive note, from the football and obviously the result.
"Leading into the Asian Cup, we can look back at that and say: we've done all we can in the lead up, and now it's up to us as staff to just keep the communication going and keep the players in tune with what's happening."