New Matildas coach Montemurro watches second win in four days

New Matildas boss Joe Montemurro was in the stands on Monday night as Amy Sayer’s double took the Matildas to a second victory over Argentina in four days.

Montemurro had been named earlier in the day as the 15th full-time head coach of Australia’s women through to the 2028 Olympics, just 24 hours after Lyon confirmed his departure halfway through a two-year contract in France, where he had led them to the league title.

Starting officially mid-month, he spoke to the players at the team hotel before attending the international friendly in Canberra, where he talked to outgoing interim chief Tom Sermanni pre-match at his 151st and final game in charge of the national women’s side.

The 55-year-old Montemurro was an avid spectator at the sold-out GIO Stadium and likely enjoyed Sayer’s technically perfect finishes either side of La Albiceleste equalising during the entertaining opening period.

He must have liked what he saw as the crowd of 25,125 set a new record for the most watched women’s sporting event in the ACT.

Second-half events were far more one-sided, with Emily van Egmond on hand to convert a rebound before home-favourite from Canberra United Michelle Heyman successfully rounded the goalkeeper to score Australia’s fourth late on.

NEVER SAYER NEVER
Sayer slammed the door shut on a chapter she described as the “hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life” by grabbing her first international start in 549 days with both hands.

The 23-year-old suffered an ACL injury last April and only returned to club action for Swedish side Kristianstads DFF in recent months.

But after volleying an early opportunity, Sayer showed no signs of rust. Instead, she shone, netting a searching cross from Kahli Johnson – who backed up her debut goal with an assist – and latching onto Caitlin Foord’s invitation to deliver a low strike across the goalkeeper, with the Matildas claiming an emphatic 4-1 win over the visitors.

NEW MATILDAS COACH CONFIRMED
The mighty Matildas have announced a new coach ahead of tonight’s hotly anticipated follw-up against Argentina.

Incoming coach Joe Montemurro said on Monday morning that becoming Matildas coach was the “honour of a lifetime”.

Montemurro’s expected appointment leading the national women’s football team was confirmed by Football Australia.

“To be appointed head coach of the Matildas is the honour of a lifetime,” said the 55-year-old Melbourne-born mentor, whose previous jobs overseas included title-winning stints as coach of the women’s teams of Arsenal*, Juventus* and most recently Lyon*.

“This team means so much to so many Australians, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to help shape its next chapter,” Montemurro said.

“I’ve followed their incredible journey closely and am energised by the passion, resilience, and identity they’ve built.

“There’s a generation of talent coming through and major tournaments on the horizon.

“My job is to honour the legacy*, harness the momentum, and help this team play football that inspires and unites the country.”

Montemurro will replace interim* Matildas coach Tom Sermanni, whose final game in charge will be tonight’s friendly with Argentina, kicking off at Canberra’s GIO Stadium at 7.30pm AEST.

Sermanni was appointed interim coach in September last year, soon after Tony Gustavsson left following the Matildas’ poor Olympic Games campaign.

Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock said Montemurro brought “world-class experience, a deep understanding of the Australian football landscape, and a genuine connection to our national identity”.

“Importantly, he has spent the last decade coaching at the very highest levels of the women’s game in Europe and brings with him an unparalleled* understanding of what is required to compete and succeed at the top of modern football,” Ms Garriock said.

Montemurro is no stranger to Australian soccer. Before heading to the UK and Europe, he coached the women’s teams at Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.

“Joe has shown an ability to build high-performing teams that play with tactical* clarity* and attacking intent, and we believe his vision and values are the perfect fit to lead the next era of the Matildas with professionalism, vision and distinction,” said Ms Garriock.

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GLOSSARY

• Arsenal: prominent professional football club in London, England
• Juventus: professional Italian football club based in the city of Turin
• Lyon: another famous football club, this one named for its French home city
• legacy: a long-lasting effect of an event or process
• interim: temporary and intended to be used or accepted until something permanent exists
• unparalleled: having no equal, when something is better or greater than any other
• tactical: relating to what is done deliberately in order to achieve something
• clarity: clearness of purpose and expression

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QUICK QUIZ

1. Who is the new coach of the Matildas?
2. Which teams has he coached overseas?
3. Prior to Europe, which Australian women’s teams did he lead as coach?
4. Who was Matildas head coach during their disappointing Olympics campaign?
5. Who has been interim coach since then and when is his last game in the role?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Matildas new coach
The new coach of the Matildas soccer team is quoted saying it’s the “honour of a lifetime” to coach these women and this team. The previous coach was blamed for the team’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Olympic Games.

What are some attributes the coach of a high-performing and extremely popular women’s team should possess to take them to the next level of success at international competitions (personal and professional traits):

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Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
Why are the Matildas so entrenched in the hearts of so many Australians? What might the future hold under a new coach and at an exciting time for the sport?

How did Monday night’s soccer friendly against Argentina in Canberra help or hinder this?

Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
Girls in sport
There are many sports in which we’re seeing an increase in female participants, including soccer. What sports have you noticed, or maybe joined yourself, where you have seen an increase in the amount of girls now playing? How do you feel about this? Why do you feel this way? Do you think it’s a positive shift? Why/why not?

Use your VCOP to express how you feel towards girls taking up more sporting roles. Explain why you feel this way. Use your emotive language to express your point of view.