Australia must be 'smart' to beat Japan in Asian Cup final: coach / Photo: DAVID GRAY - AFP
Australia must be 'smart' to beat Japan in Asian Cup final: coach
Coach Joe Montemurro told his Australia team Friday they must be adaptable and "smart" to win the Women's Asian Cup for the first time since 2010 and avenge two gut-wrenching losses against Japan in the continental final.
The sides face off for the title on Saturday at Sydney's Olympic Stadium in a repeat of the 2014 and 2018 deciders, where Japan edged home 1-0 on both occasions.
Nils Nielsen's world number six side go into the clash in seemingly invincible form after cruising through the tournament with five convincing wins and 28 goals scored to just one conceded.
In contrast, hosts Australia have had to knuckle down and fight hard.
Montemurro said there were "no favourites in a final".
"It's the one who wants it more and the one who is smart enough to manage the moments," he said.
"Adaptability is the word. I think this team is able to adapt accordingly. When we've had our backs against the wall we've changed things slightly and been able to find a way.
"When you're in these contests, you know that ability to be selfless and adapt is really, really important."
Nielsen said after Japan's 4-1 semi-final thumping of South Korea that Australia would be "massive favourites" given the expected partisan crowd.
But he changed his tune on the eve of the final.
"We are talking about a final in a major tournament. Both teams can win," he said.
"They know precisely our strength, they know their strength. They know weaknesses from us, they know their own weaknesses.
"It's completely 50-50 in the final and anyone that knows football knows that's true what I'm saying.
"So it's going to be, hopefully, a battle from another world between two great teams."
It will be the biggest game Australia have played since their run to the World Cup semi-finals on home soil in 2023.
While many of the current team were part of their two previous Asian Cup final defeats against Japan, captain Sam Kerr is the sole survivor from the 2010 title side.
Dubbed the golden generation by Australian media, finally winning a trophy together would be a dream come true for the likes of Arsenal defender Steph Catley and Chelsea's Ellie Carpenter.
"I've been playing with a lot of these girls since I was 13 years old and we've not won a major trophy," said Catley.
"We've put ourselves in a position a few times and had a few fourths. It would just be incredible to come away with a trophy for this group."
Carpenter said winning at home would be "the cherry on top".
"Tomorrow's an amazing opportunity for us to hopefully do that," she said.
"We need to bring our aggressiveness, our physical game, our speed into this game tomorrow because we know Japan probably won't like that."
L.Lemoine--JdCdC
