Slater: Three glaring questions the Matildas must face to challenge at the 2026 Asian Cup
There are three glaring questions that need to be answered if the Matildas want to be challengers at the Asian Cup in 12 months time, and they need to move fast, writes ROBBIE SLATER.
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There is no denying that it was a disappointing tournament for the Matildas in America but there are three glaring questions that need to be answered if they want to be challengers at the Asian Cup in 12 months time.
The Matildas have very limited time left to prepare for the Asian Cup.
It is going to be a big tournament, on home soil.
It will be popular, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup showed us that. Which means expectations are high.
They have a lot of work to do. Especially given their recent track record.
READ MORE: Embarrassing defeat ends Matildas’ nightmare tournament
The Matildas have beaten just one top 15 ranked side since December 2023 – a win over Germany in a friendly after the Olympics.
They fell 2-1 to Colombia in their final SheBelieves Cup game – a side that hadn’t won a game in 10 matches.
There were plenty of talking points from the week-long tournament but these three questions really need to be answered sooner rather than later.
WHERE IS THE COACH?
Clare Hunt summed it up pretty well after their loss against Colombia. She said when Football Australia appoint a coach “we are ready”.
Currently they are in a holding pattern.
It was confirmed on Thursday that Tom Sermanni would still be in the interim role for the next window against South Korea in April.
Sermanni’s presence can’t be blamed for the results this window – he has been in charge since the Olympics – so it isn’t anything new.
But the players are clearly frustrated at the delay and like the rest of us want to know what is going on.
It just can’t keep dragging on. The Matildas have just six windows left before the Asian Cup. With Sermanni taking charge for the next one that gives the new coach just five windows to get the team in order.
CAN WE HAVE SAM KERR BACK PLEASE?
It is very obvious that the Matildas miss Sam Kerr. In the game against Colombia the Matildas had nine shots on goal but just one was on target.
They made 64 final third entries – double Colombia’s 31.
But they just couldn’t get a goal.
Kerr, at her peak was the greatest goal scorer in the world.
READ MORE: Studs and duds: Every Matilda rated
Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler – they are all great players who can score goals – they just can’t do what Kerr can though.
It isn’t just her ability to bang it into the net. Kerr has such unique movements on the field – she creates space where no one else can.
Even if she isn’t fit for a 90-minute stint come the April window we need her in the squad. The quicker we get her back in the squad the better – even having Kerr starting off the bench would be a massive lift for the team.
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MARY FOWLER?
Mary Fowler is in top form for Manchester City but we don’t see that when she comes into the Matildas.
She was on the pitch for all three games – she came on off the bench against Colombia on the left hand side and didn’t really influence the game.
It is a big conundrum for Sermanni and the future Matildas coach moving forward because there is no doubt that Fowler is the most talented player of the next generation.
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Originally published as Slater: Three glaring questions the Matildas must face to challenge at the 2026 Asian Cup
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