CommBank Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler said that the team would take a lot of confidence from their 1-0 win over the Philippines to kick off the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™.
Wheeler was instrumental during the game, putting in the cross that led to the team's only goal and creating a number of attacking opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
"It's great to play at home in front of the home fans," she said.
"Starting off with a win is good, too, as we start this campaign. There are a lot of points to grow on, but we have a lot of games to go, and all around I think there are a lot of positives to take as well."
The game was Wheeler's 35th appearance for the senior national team. However, she has not always been a regular starter since her debut in 2021. Her priority for this tournament is helping the team in whatever way she can, whenever she gets the opportunity.
"For me, I want to cement more of a place in this team," she said.
"I want to contribute and get more minutes and help the team in terms of coming away with the cup in the end. Whatever way I need to do that, I'll try my best."
The space that Wheeler found to put in the cross that led to the goal was created by overloading the right-hand side. That means that, while her position is listed at centre midfield, she was able to roam freely and link up with the likes of Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso.
"For us, it was tactically looking at how we can overload wide areas," she said, of the plan going into the game.
"The way Joe likes to play is very fluid. So, in regard to that, it does offer a bit of freedom for myself or [Hayley] Raso, or Ellie [Carpenter], just to get forward and to try and deliver those balls in."
She said that the key learning from the game was being more clinical in the penalty area.
"We controlled the ball for a large part of the game, but credit to the Philippines [for defending]," she said.
"We weren't able to put away as many chances as we would have liked. So going forward, we're looking at trying to execute more on goal, and that quality in the final third."
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™
CommBank Matildas 1 v 0 Philippines
Date: Sunday, 1 March 2026
IR Iran v CommBank Matildas
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2026
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast
Time: 7:00pm AEST/8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
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CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Sunday, 8 March 2026
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Time: 8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
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