Van Egmond: It's important to put on two good performances

CommBank Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond said that it was vital to put out good performances against New Zealand in the final international window before the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™.

She was speaking to media in Gosford ahead of the first of two games against Australia's trans-tasman rivals at Polytec Stadium on Friday evening.

"The girls are just excited," she revealed.

"We've got two important games now, in our last camp before the Asian Cup squad is announced. So it's just important for the team put on two good performances, to put us in good stead for that competition."

The squad has had to contend with warm weather since arriving in New South Wales this week, but Van Egmond said that they were capable of coping with the conditions.

"We knew it was going to be really warm when we came over here," she said.

"The team's amazing. They put the right things in place for us in terms of hydration, recovery and all of those things to be able to perform.  

"Training has been really good this week. It's been a shorter time together, but we feel really prepared and ready to go."

With limited time remaining until the tournament, spots remain on the line for the final Asian Cup squad, something that the team is keenly aware of.

"Anyone who gets the opportunity to come into camp is always looking to compete for a spot," she explained.

"It's a competitive environment, and that's what you want. 23 players make the cut at the end of the day, and we're all vying for that spot. We just love being able to represent our country.

"No one's position should be guaranteed. That's professional sport. Every single time you get the opportunity to come in here and represent your country, it's game on. 

"We talk about being a team and having good culture and behaviours and getting along, but it's also competitive. That's what you want, and that's what's going to push our team to be the best that it can be."

Head Coach Joe Montemurro was appointed in the middle of this year and has since spent time bedding in his footballing ideas and concepts to the squad.

Van Egmond gave her thoughts on the coach's impact since joining.

"It's an enjoyable style of play - not to give him a big head!" she joked.

"It's been really good. It's been a good refresh for us. The girls are really buying into what we're trying to do. It's now just grasping those little concepts, and we keep tweaking little things here and there, what we need to do against different oppositions.

"It's an exciting brand of football, and hopefully you guys see that tomorrow."

She said that she was expecting tough games against New Zealand.

"We obviously have that rivalry with New Zealand, and we're always looking to get the win," she expressed.

"For us, it's more of a complete performance. We've done some really good things this week in training, helping to build a bit of a longer picture for the Asian Cup. 

"But again, these two games are vitally important for us to have two really good performances."

COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH DETAILS

CommBank Matildas v New Zealand
Date: Friday, 28 November 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: Buy Tickets

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