Australia and South Korea will play for top spot in Group A when they meet in Sydney in their final group stage clash of the Women’s Asian Cup.
And while redemption is not the main objective, the Matildas’ loss to South Korea four years ago in this same tournament at the quarterfinal stage still lingers as a sore spot.
The 1-0 loss in India saw Australia exit the tournament earlier than they ever had before. And despite friendly wins over the Taegeuk Ladies in the years since, beating South Korea in a tournament setting is very much the aim.
This isn’t just a narrative that the fans carry when reading who the opposition is but the lived experience of 14 members of this 2026 squad.
For vice captain Steph Catley, the loss in 2022 was a big moment for the team.
“I think we learnt a lot from that game in particular and that tournament,” Catley said in the pregame press conference.
“It was challenging conditions over there and I think we struggled most of the tournament, but that game in particular we were quite wasteful from memory and didn’t finish our chances and against a team like Korea, they take advantage of theirs and then the game’s over.”
“We’ve definitely learnt from that moment and been holding on to it and we want to make sure we do everything we can to not feel that again.”
When the draw was first released, this clash between two Asian powerhouses was circled and the hype has only continued to build with the teams picking up wins in both of their first two games.
Head coach Joe Montemurro is pleased with how his side has grown into the tournament.
“I think tournaments are not won in the first game or the second game, they’re won in progressing and building into the tournament and we always knew that South Korea was going to be an important game for us moving forward,” he said.
“The work’s been done in the last week and a half. We believe that we’re starting to find our rhythm and starting to find those connections and collaborations on the field that’s put us in a good position.”
The Matildas will be without Hayley Raso who is in concussion protocols following multiple head knocks in the match against Iran.
But Catley’s confident that the squad not only has enough depth to cover her absence but enough big-game experience to handle the pressure that awaits them. Every player is ready to go if called upon.
“I think that’s something potentially that we’ve missed in the past and maybe the last time we played this tournament we maybe didn’t have that depth as much as we do now,” Catley said.
“I think in terms of going deep into tournaments, that’s always something that we’ve looked for as a team. And I think now is probably the best I’ve seen the squad.”
While the Matildas are guaranteed a spot in the knockouts, as are South Korea, this match will decide who tops the group. South Korea currently holds a slim advantage thanks to a superior goal difference.
Whoever does finish top of the group will have the added benefit of playing the rest of their matches in Sydney — a massive incentive for Montemurro and his team.
“The travel is the big one because, it’s such a tight tournament as it is. I mean having just one sort of pre-match training session today leading into tomorrow’s game, it’s very tight,” Montemurro said.
But whether they remain in Sydney or head west, his team has already achieved their first goal of progressing out of the group and believes his team will be ready for whatever is next.
“Whatever comes our way, we’ll cherish it and take it and be prepared for it.”
