CommBank Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer said that the whole squad was "locked in" as they begin to finalise their preparations for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™.
The 23-year-old scored the first of five goals in the 5-0 victory over New Zealand in front of a sold-out crowd in Gosford on Friday evening.
"It looked really good tonight," she assessed.
"What Joe [Montemurro] really emphasises is just establishing possession. We don't want to rush any attacks going forward. We want to establish possession and make sure that we're progressing up the field with control. I think we saw that in some parts of the game tonight.
"Joe doesn't have a complicated playing style. I think the simplicity is the best part about it. We're all really locked in and ready to bring these goals to fruition. We saw that tonight, and I think there's more to be seen."
She heaped praise on the playing style that has been adopted by the group following the appointment of Joe Montemurro as Head Coach earlier this year, likening it to the 'Total Football' style that developed in the Netherlands in the 1970s.
"It's like a European style," she explained.
"You fill the positions. You're very aware of what everyone's role is on the park, but not who's stuck in each role. Personally, I'm allowed the freedom even as a winger to come into the midfield - because that's my strength - or to fill the gaps that you see. Sometimes you see me end up as a left wing back because I just have to cover the back line or track my player.
"Joe likes to play with a lot of football IQ. The players on the field, we all have the ability to fill those different positions. The fluidity that we saw in the park today really demonstrates that.
"[Total football] might be just my interpretation. I'd like to think that he thinks that as well. It's a very old philosophy, but it's one that's gaining some traction."
She said it was "really exciting" to score in front of home fans.
"A couple of people said, 'I feel like you're gonna score a goal today,' and I was like, 'nah'," she joked.
"Every time I get the chance on the wing, I feel like I have to [try to score]. The forward line are often the ones who score, and I tend to not be the main goal scorer. I think I found some good positions, and it was really nice to get the opening goal as well."
Sayer burst onto the scene as an attacking central midfielder, but has also been used as a winger in the CommBank Matildas setup since returning from her ACL injury in June this year.
"Maybe I have a small future as a winger," she laughed.
"I think Joe recognises some certain qualities in me - that I like the possession style, and quick passes establishing possession. I am playing in an unfamiliar spot on the wing, but it really adds to my game to try and learn to take on players one-on-one, and then use my delivery skills and skills on the ball to be able to contribute to the team in a different space.
"Even though it is unfamiliar, it can only benefit me."
After three successful seasons, it was recently announced that Sayer would be leaving her club side Kristianstads DFF, alongside CommBank Matildas teammate Remy Siemsen.
She said that her future is still uncertain, but she hopes to continue to grow as a player and establish herself at a new club.
"At this point, I'd like to stay in Europe," she said.
"There's always the opportunity to do training with A-League teams, just to take us through the December month, but I think Remy and myself are really looking forward to having a break. We've been going since January all the way through to the end of November, so I think that's the priority for us right now.
"And then, putting our best foot forward in this camp to elevate our reputation, status and performance to then hopefully continue our journey, from a smaller club in Sweden to a bigger one in Europe. I think that's a common goal for Remy and I."
COMMBANK MATILDAS | NEXT GAME
CommBank Matildas v New Zealand
Date: Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Kick-off: 8pm ACDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy Tickets