Sermanni: We played some really incisive, dynamic football
CommBank Matildas Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni said that he was delighted with the team’s performance in their 2-0 victory against Korea Republic in Newcastle.
He was speaking at the post-match press conference after Australia completed a clean sweep of the two-match series in front of a record Newcastle crowd of over 28,000.
“I thought we played some really incisive, dynamic football tonight, particularly in the second half,” Sermanni began.
“We kept the ball well, I thought we made a lot of good decisions in possession. Still need to do a little bit better than taking care in possession at times. Some of those turnovers could have cost us. But other than that, overall, the way we played tonight - and considering we’re backing up from three or four days ago - I thought was excellent.”
He was asked about goal scorer Mary Fowler and her role on the left-hand side of attack. Sermanni has been open in previous discussions about the challenge of trying to find her best position in the national team.
“Tonight was the most involved I’ve seen her in a game since I’ve been the coach. You see how valuable a player she is when she actually gets on the ball,” he said.
“We’ve had a couple of conversations, and we’ve talked about where we think – and where she thinks – she’s best fitted. She’s played predominantly for Manchester City on either the left side or the right side.
“At the moment, she feels more comfortable there. It gives her more space to work in, she can create a little bit more from there. If we are playing well, she gets on the ball a lot more.”
First-half goal scorer Mary Fowler also spoke at the press conference, building on Sermanni’s discussion around her best role.
“At clubland, I play on the wing quite often, and I really like playing there,” she said.
“I see a lot of the field from there, and just a lot of different angles. So I enjoyed being there tonight.
“On a personal level, I want to try be a bit more consistent with my performance for a national team. Being out in that position made it a bit easier for me, to be in a role that I've played quite a bit this season.”
Fowler explained the importance of the win for the team.
“After the last game, we spoke about trying to be consistent and not take that first win for granted,” she said.
“That was a real positive from this game, that we went out there and try to have a consistent performance. I think all the girls are happy with that part.
“We were consistent in both performances, but at the same time, I think we've still got a bit to build on… it's nice that we see a bit of ourselves again.”
As Interim Head Coach, Sermanni is aware that he could have been in charge for the final time if a Head Coach is appointed before the next international window.
He spent time reflecting on his journey as national team coach, and his favourite parts of his most recent spell in the job.
“The favourite moments for me are when we play games at home. I’ve walked out, I’ve seen the crowd, and I’ve seen their reaction to the Matildas,” he said.
“Obviously, I’ve been in the system with them for a long time. When I see that now, and when I feel that I’ve got the privilege to actually be in amongst it, that’s my favourite time.”
The most recent of those massive crowds was the record 28,019 in Newcastle on Monday evening.
“The noise is amazing,” he said.
“The Matildas crowd is a unique crowd. It’s not a diehard football crowd, as such. But the noise that they bring to the game, the passion that they bring to the game, and the way they support the players and the team – it’s a phenomenon.
“It’s something that I’ve never witnessed in my time in football.”
Attention for the team now turns to the next international window, a two-game home series against Argentina in May/June.
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MAY/JUNE 2025 | MATCH SCHEDULE
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Friday, 30 May 2025
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Monday, 2 June 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets