Australia urged to be brave against China in Women’s Asian Cup semi-final

PERTH – Australia coach Joe Montemurro urged his team on March 16 to be brave in their Women’s Asian Cup semi-final against defending champions China, who are wary of the hosts’ attacking prowess.

The Matildas scraped into the last four with a 2-1 win over North Korea, after being on the back foot for much of the game.

“We haven’t always been brave enough to control the ball, and as you all know, my way of thinking is with the ball,” said Montemurro ahead of the clash in Perth on March 17.

“So obviously, the focus has been on that. We’re playing a team that is very, very well-structured, very well-organised.”

Australia received a boost with star players Steph Catley and Hayley Raso declared fit after missing the quarter-final with concussion.

The semi-final will be extra special for Leicester City midfielder Emily van Egmond, who will become Australia’s most-capped player in her 170th game, surpassing Clare Polkinghorne.

Van Egmond has played at four World Cups, three Olympic Games and four Asian Cups, and said it was all about collective effort.

“We’ve worked hard to reach the semi-finals and it’s all about team performance,” said the 32-year-old, who Montemurro called “one of the best footballers that we’ve produced”.

Australia have the benefit of an extra day’s rest following their efforts against North Korea on March 13.

China played a day later and needed to toil through extra time to tame Chinese Taipei 2-0 in a game that saw key striker Wang Shuang pick up a second yellow card.

She is suspended for the semis, but China have a coach who knows Australia very well.

Ante Milicic coached the Matildas at the 2019 World Cup, leading them to the round of 16, and always keeps close tabs on them.

“I always follow the Matildas from afar and track the players’ journey,” the Australian said.

“Right now I’m enjoying my time with China, and leading them to the semi-finals is a dream for me and the staff.”

Milicic is particularly wary of the threat posed up front by Australia’s Sam Kerr, Raso and Caitlin Foord.

“These forward players of Australia can unlock any defence and have been performing at the top level for a long time,” the Sydney native said.

“Defensively, we have to be very strong.

“We not only have to contain Australia’s attacking threat, but we have also shown that we can attack and need to find the right balance.”

The winners will face either Japan or South Korea in the final in Sydney on March 21.

Japan coach Nils Nielsen said he has no concerns that the rampant Nadeshiko’s defence has yet to be properly tested ahead of the South Korea clash on March 18.

The two-time champions have been dominant in Australia, slamming 24 goals past their four opponents so far – the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and India.

They have yet to concede, with barely a shot for Manchester City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita to deal with.

That will likely change against a South Korea side who have scored 15 and let in just three across their campaign so far.

“It doesn’t concern me that our defence hasn’t been tested much,” said Greenlander Nielsen, after Japan thrashed the Philippines 7-0 in their quarter-final on March 15. “We are still not where we would like to be but we are getting there.” AFP