CommBank Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler said that the team can’t wait to get started in their first window under new Head Coach Joe Montemurro.
She was speaking on Monday, the first day of the four-game international window where Australia will take on Slovenia and Panama in two-game series.
“It's a new chapter, going into the Asian Cup, which is really important for us,” she said.
“The last year has been challenging, but all those challenges obviously make us a better team going into the Asian Cup. Now we've got a direction, and we can't wait to get started.”
The AFC Asian Cup 2026™ - that will be held in Australia in March next year – is Wheeler and the team’s full focus during this camp.
“There aren't many camps left before the Asian Cup, so every camp matters,” she said.
Montemurro is a vastly experienced Head Coach, having experienced success in the A-League Women before lifting trophies with Arsenal, Juventus, and Lyon.
Wheeler was in the very early stages of her career, playing for the Newcastle Jets, when she first faced a Montemurro team on the pitch in the domestic league.
“He was always a formidable coach,” she said.
“We knew that when he was here, and he's only proven it in his overseas adventures as well. I do remember Melbourne City [the team he coached [2015-17]. I do remember being starstruck, but it's great to finally have him as a coach.”
She explained that his experience would help the team adapt to his preferred style of football.
“Joe's coming with a wealth of experience, and he has a certain ideology of how he wants to play going forward,” she said.
‘These first couple of days, it's all just about taking as much as we can in. With these games, it's going to be really good for us to try and implement that.”
The 33-player squad has seen a number of fresh and returning faces come into the CommBank Matildas fold.
Wheeler said that it can only be a positive thing to have players come in and be exposed to the national team setup under Montemurro.
“We only have a short amount of windows to not only learn Joe's style of play, but also to play with each other in that style,” she explained.
“So I think it's really good that we have a lot of players coming in and getting that exposure.”
The midfielder has fond memories of playing in Perth. She scored her first international goal in an Olympic Qualifying game against the Philippines in the Western Australian capital, and remembers it fondly.
“I just remember feeling pure joy,” she smiled.
“I know there's more to my role than obviously contributing that way [scoring goals], but if presented the opportunity, I want to take it.”
The first series of games will be against Slovenia. Their recent results have seen them top their League B Group in the UEFA Women’s Nations League and be promoted to the top league next year.
They defeated the Republic of Ireland 4-0 in February last year, and it set the tone for their campaign.
“It’s going to be a challenge [against Slovenia], but having these games provides opportunity for players to get an understanding [of what the coach wants],” Wheeler said.
COMMBANK MATILDAS | JUNE/JULY 2025 | MATCH SCHEDULE
Series One
CommBank Matildas v Slovenia
Date: Thursday, 26 June 2025
Kick-off: 7.00pm WST / 9.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v Slovenia
Date: Sunday, 29 June 2025
Kick-off: 6.00pm WST / 8.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
Series Two
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025
Kick-off: 2.30pm WST / 4.30pm AEST
Venue: Hands Oval, Bunbury
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Kick-off: 6.00pm WST / 8.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets