Matildas to face South Korea, Iran and Philippines in group stage

The Matildas are set for a rematch with the group that knocked them out of the final Asian Cup after being handed a troublesome draw for subsequent 12 months’s match on dwelling soil – their first main match underneath new boss Joe Montemurro.

Australia’s group stage opponents have been confirmed at Tuesday night time’s draw ceremony at Sydney City Corridor, with South Korea, Iran and the Philippines touchdown in Group A.

Although the Matildas gained their two friendlies in opposition to Korea earlier this 12 months, the final time they met in a aggressive fixture was on the 2022 Asian Cup in India, the place scored a last-gasp winner to abruptly finish Australia’s bid for a second continental crown within the quarter-finals. The Taeguk Girls went on to lose the ultimate to China.

The match will start with a showdown between Australia and the Philippines – who’re coached by an Australian, Mark Torcaso – at Perth’s Optus Stadium on March 1.

The Matildas will then face Iran at Cbus Tremendous Stadium on the Gold Coast 4 days later, and Korea at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on March 8.

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It was near the hardest draw potential for Australia, who have been drawn with the top-ranked groups in pots three and 4, and the second-highest ranked group in pot two – avoiding former Matildas boss Ante Milicic and his Chinese language aspect, who’re in Group B with North Korea, considered one of Asia’s prime ladies’s soccer nations.

The significance of topping the group is essential, because the runners-up of Group A will face the second-placed group from Group B within the quarter-finals – and to guide their spot on the 2027 FIFA Girls’s World Cup in Brazil, the Matildas will possible must progress by way of to the semi-finals.

This Asian Cup would be the final version that additionally doubles as the ultimate stage of qualification for the World Cup, with the highest six groups incomes an computerized berth. Ought to the Matildas attain the quarters and lose, they might then participate in considered one of two “play-in” matches in opposition to one other dropping quarter-finalist. The winners of these will even qualify for the World Cup, whereas the losers could be compelled into the intercontinental play-offs.