Sermanni: “It’s our intent to make sure everybody in our squad gets some game time in this tournament”

CommBank Matildas Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni confirmed that fans are set to see some national team debuts at the SheBelieves Cup, with squad rotation a priority for the three-game window.

Brisbane Roar’s Laini Freier and Melbourne Victory’s Alana Murphy are the two uncapped players in the CommBank Matildas squad.

Sermanni was speaking at the official Pre-Match Press Conference ahead of the team’s first game of the SheBelieves Cup against Japan.

“We want to put a very strong team out to start this tournament against Japan, but at the same time – particularly at this tournament, where there’s a short turnaround of games and there’s travel involved – it’s very important for us to utilise the whole squad,” he said.

“How we’re going to do that, you never quite know until the game starts, but we intend to make sure everybody in our squad gets some game time in this tournament, while also making sure to send the players back to their clubs in a healthy state.”

Sermanni confirmed he will have the entire playing squad to choose from for the first game.

“Everybody’s been good, and the main thing is, everybody is fresh and healthy,” he said.

“The team have been in good spirits. We’ve had two quite intense training sessions. Preparation-wise – given the time frame we have had – everything has run smoothly.”

The SheBelieves Cup is an opportunity to continue to build towards the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™ in a tournament-like format against quality opposition.

Sermanni outlined the priorities for the group ahead of the three games against Japan, the United States and Colombia.

“When you come to a tournament like this, everyone aims to try and win the tournament,” he said.

“For us, it’s really important that we put on good performances to keep the team going forward and to keep the confidence high in the team.

“We’ve also brought some younger, inexperienced players to this tournament to give them an opportunity to play against real quality opposition, so there are a few factors in relation to this tournament that are important.”

The first match against Japan is a vital one ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2026™. Japan are the highest-ranked team in Asia and are likely to face off against the CommBank Matildas at some stage during the tournament.

They are also a team in transition, bringing in new coaching staff – including former CommBank Young Matildas coach, Leah Blayney, as an assistant coach.

“It is extremely valuable because it gives the players experience playing against the very top level of teams in Asia, and gives you an idea of what you’ll need to do next year to try and beat those teams,” Sermanni said.

“I don’t know quite what to expect, because this is the first time that the Japanese women’s team has had a foreign coach,” he explained.

“The way I look at it is, like us, they’ve probably had two training sessions together. So I don’t see a lot of difference between how Japan has been playing and how they will play tomorrow, because how they play is very successful.

“I don’t think there will be too many changes. He [Japan Head Coach Nils Nielsen] might just add a few different things, but I don’t expect Japan to come out and play much differently than they normally play.”

COMMBANK MATILDAS | SHEBELIEVES CUP | 17 – 27 FEBRUARY 2025

Japan v CommBank Matildas
Date: Thursday, 20 February 2025 (local) / Friday, 21 February (AEDT)
Kick-off: 4.03pm CT (local) / 9.03am (AEDT)
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston (TX) 
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: ussoccer.com/shebelieves/cup

United States v CommBank Matildas
Date: Sunday, 23 February 2025 (local) / Monday, 24 February (AEDT)
Kick-off: 3.05pm MST (local) / 9.05am (AEDT)
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale (AZ) 
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: ussoccer.com/shebelieves/cup

CommBank Matildas v Colombia
Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2025 (local) / Thursday, 27 February (AEDT)
Kick-off: 4.37pm PST (local) / 11.37am (AEDT)
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego (CA) 
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: ussoccer.com/shebelieves/cup