The Matildas embody Aussie pub rock spirit against Iran, and they’re playing to win

Source : ABC NEWS

The Joe Montemurro incarnation of the Matildas feels like a throwback to classic Australian rock.

There’s the Jimmy Barnes mentality of “always remembering there ain’t no second prize”.

The John Farnham energy of “playing to win” every time.

Even Men at Work asking “who can it be now?” as players roam around the field, unattached to the constraints of any set position or formation.

Essentially, the old school, pub rock rev-ups that came well before the current generation, but sum them up better than Nikki Webster’s Strawberry Kisses, which became their unofficial anthem during the 2023 World Cup.

Whatever the soundtrack to their philosophy, their on-field output was much improved in their 4-0 win over Iran, to set up a blockbuster showdown against South Korea in Sydney on Sunday.

New look midfield shines

Montemurro had promised changes to the side that won the opening game against the Philippines 1-0, and those who got their opportunity, embraced it.

The scoreline against Iran could have easily blown out further, with VAR intervening a few times, and the Matildas missing some other straightforward chances.

But where they lacked creativity and finishing in the first game, with a little more space and pace against the world number 68, they found it easier to cut through.

As has become the trademark of this team, the formation was loose, and Mary Fowler particularly enjoyed her licence to roam on the wing.

She started her first game for the Matildas in nearly a year, as she continues her comeback from an ACL injury.

She joined the well-established combination of Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr up front and was the stand-out of the trio.

“We see the brilliance of a very, very good player that’s starting to come back into form, and she’s playing freely,” Montemurro said.

“That’s what we wanted to do. We need the freedom to be the player we know she can be. And if she’s happy, I’m happy.”

The midfield was missing the usual heavyweights of Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross and the increasingly impressive Clare Wheeler.

But the new trio of Alanna Kennedy, playing as a defensive midfielder, flanked by Emily van Egmond and Amy Sayer, was the most dynamic presence of the game.

Kennedy embraced her role as the number 6, controlling the distribution, dipping back to help the defenders, and pushing up as needed — scoring two goals for good measure.

She was even deployed as a second striker in the closing stages of the game.

Before the tournament, there was some uncertainty about whether she was still a rusted-on starting player in this squad, but this performance showed she still has a lot to offer.

Sayer, no doubt soon to be a bona fide star of this team, scored a stunner for the Matildas’ first. Or was it a cross gone right?

“I’m going to claim it as a shot,” she said.

And van Egmond was particularly threatening when taking corners, and showed, similarly to Kennedy, that she still has the spark to light up the side.

“I’m really enjoying my time under Joe at the moment; his philosophy and how he wants to play football, I think, align with me as a player,” she said.

Other options Montemurro explored in this game included Charlie Rule and Courtney Nevin at the back, although Steph Catley and Winonah Heatley would likely slot back into the best XI.

Kaitlyn Torpey appeared at right back late, showing where she may figure in future calculations if needed, despite being listed as a forward in the squad.

And the front three of Fowler, Kerr, and Foord were substituted after the fourth goal, releasing Remy Siemsen, Holly McNamara, and Hayley Raso into the game.

Raso could be in some doubt for Sunday’s game, though, after receiving a ball to the face twice during her stint, with some venom.

The second half stalled and sputtered with a lot of stoppages from the Iranian players, but by then the Matildas had done enough.

Yes, this was always a game they were expected to win, and win well.

But it was the performances of those who don’t always get a chance to shine that provided the biggest cause for optimism heading into the final group game.

‘Football brings us together’

A lot of the buildup to the game was focused on the Iranian women, due to the war in the Middle East.

After not singing the anthem before the game against South Korea, interpreted as a silent protest against the Islamic Republic regime, there was a pointed effort from players to salute and sing this time.

A group of anti-Islamic Republic protesters gathered outside the stadium before the game, with some also attending the match, waving the ‘Lion and Sun’ flag, which was used before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Any materials of a political nature are not allowed inside the stadium.

Some players smiled and waved at the fans as they walked off the pitch.

It has been a challenging week for them in a spotlight they’d prefer not to be under. And despite their best efforts, they couldn’t match it with the Matildas on any level.

“It’s very good opportunity for us to play these tough games which give us very good experiences and it helps, our football, women’s football in Iran, which is newborn,” coach Marziyeh Jafari said through an interpreter.

Sayer was thoughtful in her reflections on the situation facing the Iranians.

“We’re not the most qualified to comment on geopolitical affairs, but we really just wanted to give them a good game,” she said.

“I swapped my jersey at the end of the game. I know that they’re having a tough time as well. And it’s a very nice memento for them to take home if they’re able.

“I know that they’re really struggling with interference from their government and everything. But I hope they enjoyed the game. I know we did as well.

“Football brings us together, and that’s really exciting to me.”

Onto business as usual

The 4-0 scoreline was good, but not enough for the Matildas to claim top spot in group A.

South Korea has scored one more goal in its two games so far, meaning the Australians must win Sunday’s match in Sydney to top the group.

That would ensure they’d stay in Sydney for the rest of the tournament. Otherwise, they’d have to go to Perth for the quarter-final and semi-final, then back to Sydney for the final, should they make it that far.

“I don’t like playing the Russian roulette of goals. Those calculations never work,” Montemurro said.

“Even if we got the goal scenario, I would never let this team go in and say, all we need is a draw at the top of the group.

“We go out to play our football, to win games, to excite, and we always knew that we needed to win this game. So for me, it’s just business as usual.”

For the record, Business as Usual was Men at Work’s debut album. Make of that what you will.