Sermanni: Every game is important leading into Asian Cup
Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni emphasised the importance of every game as the AFC Asian Cup 2026™ continues to draw closer.
Sermanni was speaking to the media alongside CommBank Matildas defender Charli Grant at the official Pre-Match Press Conference in Melbourne on Thursday.
The team is preparing to take on Argentina in a two-match series starting in Melbourne on Friday evening.
“The Asian Cup is 9 months away, and every game is important to every player,” he said.
“Whether that's an established player who wants to come in and get established or whether it's a player coming into the camp for the first or second time, they actually make an impression and get selected in the squad.
“All games are important, but they become much more important as we approach a major competition.”
Sermanni said that all the players at camp are fit and healthy, but whether the team’s three Champions League winners – Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross – will play on Friday evening is yet to be determined.
“They came in for dinner last night and then straight off to bed,” he recounted.
“I haven't seen them yet this morning, so I need to have a chat just to see how they are. Realistically, our thoughts are towards not starting them in the game, just because of them coming in late and all that other stuff. So that's the thought at the moment.
“The welfare of our players is always front and centre of what we do. What we don't want to do is take a risk with any of the three of them, if we don't need to for a friendly game, particularly when we've got another game on Monday.”
Charli Grant was able to put her club Tottenham’s rivalry with Arsenal aside to admit that the squad was inspired by what the Gunners had achieved.
“It’s so special, what they achieved,” she said.
“To win something like that is amazing, on one of the biggest stages of football. So it’s inspiring to all us girls, and then to have them come in and celebrate them gives so much energy to the group.”
Grant said that she was excited to come home and play in front of home fans.
“We love coming back to Australia to play in front of our fans,” she said.
“They give us so much energy out there on the pitch. It’s an incredible atmosphere every time we come to Australia. We just want to keep inspiring the next generation.”
Sermanni was given the chance to reflect on how the team had grown since his tenure began last year.
“The most significant thing I've seen is that the players that have been on the fringes now are starting to come into their own a little bit,” he said.
“When I came into the job, understandably, confidence was low. And when that situation happens, the less established players are particularly hit by that, because it's a difficult situation.
“The pleasing thing I've seen is that some players that have come in who haven't had lots of minutes in the past now look and feel more confident in the team.”
In terms of the starting team for Friday night, he gave some hints about the direction in which he saw it going.
“There'll be some players in there that haven't had lots of game time, and perhaps even any game time,” he said.
“It’s always a balance. It'd be great if we can give opportunities and more opportunities to more inexperienced players or fringe players in these games. It's trying to work out the right balance as always.
“But these will be two tough games. Argentina will be not dissimilar to Brazil. In women's football, they’re probably down the rankings a little bit, but Argentina are always very competitive in football.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH SCHEDULE | MAY / JUNE 2025
Match One
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: matildas.com.au/tickets
Match Two
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: matildas.com.au/tickets