Pre-Match Press Conference: Sermanni and Gielnik look ahead to two-game series against Chinese Taipei
CommBank Matildas Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni said it was “really exciting” to be able to give opportunities to the eight players that have arrived in camp ahead of two matches against Chinese Taipei.
He was speaking alongside forward Emily Gielnik at the pre-match press conference ahead of the match in Melbourne on Wednesday evening.
“It’s been fantastic because we’ve been able now to get in another eight new players, many of whom haven’t been around the Matildas for some time, or who haven’t actually been around the Matildas at all,” he said.
“As a coach, it’s really exciting to give those players an opportunity.”
The addition of those players is a result of others leaving to return to club duty. Sermanni explained that dealing with competing interests was all part of the job.
“When you become a coach, you just get used to dealing whatever you have to deal with,” he said.
“These games have really given us an opportunity, which hasn’t happened in the Matildas probably for many years, where we get a chance to actually look particularly at domestic talent, and actually assess some young players or experienced players who have been out of the picture for a little while.
“From a coaching perspective, obviously I can come out and say our preparation has been very tight… but that’s what you deal with. It’s quite simple.”
Sermanni expressed his desire to give as many players an opportunity over the next two games as possible.
“We’ll see a balance of both [experienced and new players],” he said.
“That’s what we’ve got in this squad, we’ve got players like Emily [Gielnik], experienced players, whether or not they have been around the squad, are very experienced. Then we’ve another group of players, some who are in here for the first time.
“Obviously you start with your starting team, and whatever happens after that you can never quite predict. One of my aims this week is to give opportunities to as many players as I can do.
“But I don’t want to make any guarantees about that, because a football match goes in many different ways, and you can never be quite sure what’s going to happen.”
Emily Gielnik, meanwhile, touched on her journey to her first appearance for the national team since 2022.
She missed out on contending for a spot at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and then Paris 2024, due to consecutive injuries.
“It was pretty special for me, being back out with the girls,” she reflected.
“I always am so proud to wear the Australian jersey and represent my country. To be honest, it was just surreal, and I worked really hard to get back here.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity, for awarding my hard work and my form in the A-League. I worked hard to get here, and I’ll definitely work even harder to stay.”
As one of the more senior members of the squad against Chinese Taipei, she said she will be taking on a leadership role in camp.
“People that know me personally know I’m quite a nurturing person,” she said.
“I’ve developed quite a large leadership role back in my club at home for Melbourne Victory. So I’m hoping to bring some of that experience.
“I think we’ve got enough experienced players in and around this team that are going to be available for these next two games that we really need to step up. We need to nurture these girls.
“And also just give a reminder that when you put this jersey on, there is a level of expectation, there is a different demand, and it is a big jump.
“It’s about staying positive and getting behind these girls.”
She expressed her desire to fight to be the first-choice centre forward in this team. In her previous stints in the national team, she had mostly been on the right wing but has been playing centre forward at club level now for the last few seasons.
Finally, she said that the games against Brazil ignited something within the team that will be evident against Chinese Taipei.
“That was important, that second game against Brazil because it’s actually ignited something in us moving into Chinese Taipei,” she said.
“Australia has always been known for physicality. I think that’s something we can absolutely have dominance over Chinese Taipei, but it’s important that we deliver that and assert dominance early.
“We put up a good fight against Brazil. Unfortunately, the results didn’t go our way. But it was good to get in a bit of a tussle.
“I think we’ve actually learnt a lot from that, and if anything – as frustrating as it was – it’s going to help us with our game moving forward to Chinese Taipei.”
CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2024
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Saturday, 7 December 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets