Ben Smith

Gorry and Wheeler the highlights for mine, whether it was one of the pair pushing further forward and providing an option, or moving into the half-spaces and bringing the wide players into play. Really want to see Fowler/Sayer playing in that third midfield role.

‘Messy’ Montemurro happy with clean start to Asian Cup Matildas coach Joe Montemurro admits there is plenty of room for improvement in the final third, but is confident his side will grow into their Women’s Asian Cup campaign after their opening victory.

"Apparently my football is messy. I like that."

Joe Montemurro with yet another invigorating post-match presser. Went into good detail about playing against Philippines' deep block. Believes the Matildas will be braver as the Asian Cup progresses.

Kerr ends goal drought as Matildas sneak win in opener Matildas captain Sam Kerr has ended her national team scoring drought in her hometown as her first-half header guided Australia to a 1-0 win over The Philippines in their Women’s Asian Cup opener.

Goals are to a striker what closed deals are to a salesperson.

Despite a game of limited opportunities, Sam Kerr will be walking a little taller today.

There are certain things to factor in - the short run-up, no friendlies in the build-up, first game of the tournament nerves.

But a green-and-gold team gurt by tight defensive lines and facing a low block? This is Aus Sokkah heritage.

Kerr ends goal drought as Matildas sneak win in opener Matildas captain Sam Kerr has ended her national team scoring drought in her hometown as her first-half header guided Australia to a 1-0 win over The Philippines in their Women’s Asian Cup opener.

851-day wait for a Matildas goal ended by Sam Kerr in her hometown. But Australia spent most of the 90 minutes frustrated by a resolute Philippines defence.

Matildas coach keeping quiet on ‘keeping decision Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has refused to rule goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold either in or out of Sunday’s Women’s Asian Cup opening game against The Philippines.

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has refused to rule goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold either in or out of Sunday’s Women’s Asian Cup opener.

Further clouding goalkeeper conundrum: Jada Whyman not on park during 15 minutes open to media.

Gorry keeping faith in ‘keepers after Arnold training cameo Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry has backed deputy goalkeepers Jada Whyman and Chloe Lincoln to do their country proud should Mackenzie Arnold not front up for Sunday’s Women’s Asian Cup opener.

Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry has backed deputy goalkeepers Jada Whyman and Chloe Lincoln to do their country proud should veteran shot-stopper Mackenzie Arnold not front up for Sunday’s Women’s Asian Cup opener.

No mental scars from previous clash for Matildas’ opponents The Philippines’ coach Mark Torcaso has promised his side will “fight to the death” and says his side are more prepared for the Women’s Asian Cup opener than their previous 8-0 loss to the Matildas.

Spoke to The Philippines’ Australian coach Mark Torcaso this morning, who has promised his side will "fight to the death" and declared his side are more prepared for their Women’s Asian Cup opener than their previous 8-0 hiding by the Matildas.

Mackenzie Arnold made a brief appearance on the training track this morning before heading inside during the 15 minutes of Matildas training open to media.

It took me less than five minutes to get angry at the Scrubs reboot (rest of the first two episodes were fine).

Never before have I related more to the cross Pingu meme.

How rising stars could fuel Matildas’ Asian Cup quest For all the star-power Australia possess, it is the strides some of their lesser-known players have taken since the Women’s World Cup which could make a difference at the Women’s Asian Cup.

For all the star-power the Matildas possess, Winonah Heatley is one of four players with less than 35 caps to their name who could potentially find their way into Joe Montemurro’s starting 11 against The Philippines.

Tillies star under cloud as ex-Glory favourite spotted Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler have ramped up their Women’s Asian Cup preparations - but is a fellow star under a selection cloud ahead of Sunday’s opener against The Philippines?

Good news for Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler at Matildas training.

Also good news to see ex-Glory 'keeper Morgan Aquino at training.

The bad news? No Mackenzie Arnold in the portion open to the media.

‘Minister of defence’ expecting fight for starting berth Matildas shot-stopper Mackenzie Arnold is adamant she is not simply assuming she will start in goal in Australia’s Women’s Asian Cup opener despite fellow custodian Teagan Micah’s injury.

Matildas shot-stopper Mackenzie Arnold is adamant she is not simply assuming she will start in goal in Australia’s Women’s Asian Cup opener despite fellow custodian Teagan Micah’s injury.

Stars sidelined at Matildas’ opening full training session Two of the Matildas’ biggest names were restricted to light duties, while coach Joe Montemurro may have tipped his hand to the positions some players may play in when the Women’s Asian Cup begins. SEE...

Two of the Matildas' biggest names did not train with the main group on a scorching-hot Wednesday morning - but did coach Joe Montemurro tip his hand as to how he views Alanna Kennedy and Kaitlyn Torpey position-wise?

Perth has a Tillies fever and the only prescription is more Kerr-ball

‘We want to put on a show’: Matildas ready to dazzle in WA Matildas winger Hayley Raso has declared her team will put on a show at the Women’s Asian Cup, with the Aussies excited to embrace the pressure of hosting a major tournament.

Matildas winger Hayley Raso has declared her team will put on a show at the Women’s Asian Cup, with the Aussies excited to embrace the pressure of hosting a major tournament.

Code-swapping Rosich ready to seize round-ball opportunity Australian Professional Leagues chief executive Steve Rosich says his time at WA’s AFL clubs prepared him for the rigours of running the A-League and awakening the sleeping giant that is the round bal...

Spoke to new APL CEO Steve Rosich about a few things, including his timeline for the Central Coast Mariners and a Western United update.

‘Zero doubt’: Fowler confident ahead of Tillies return In a WA exclusive interview with The West, Matildas star Mary Fowler has declared herself ‘100 per cent’ confident in her surgically-repaired knee in the lead-up to their Women’s Asian Cup opener.

WA Exclusive: Mary Fowler has declared herself “100 per cent” confident in her surgically-repaired knee, despite just 15 minutes of action in the lead-up to the Women’s Asian Cup.

‘Ready to go’: No coach concerns on Matildas superstar duo Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is confident their two biggest stars in Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler can positively impact their Women’s Asian Cup campaign despite twin returns from torn ACLs over the past ...

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is confident Australia’s two biggest stars in Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler can positively impact their Women’s Asian Cup campaign despite twin returns from torn ACLs over the past year.

'I never thought AI would ruin MY life,' sobs woman who voted for the AI Will Ruin Your Life Party

Glory get both good and bad news on injury front There is fresh news on the injury front for Perth Glory - and it’s a mixed bag as they plot a late-season finals surge.

There is fresh news on the injury front for Perth Glory - and it’s a mixed bag as they plot a late-season finals surge.

A Yellowcard arena show (even though it may be a support slot) in the year 2026 AD.

We've never been so back.

Am wondering whether a certain popular sports writer will use their spot on a popular sports podcast this year to wish a Merry Christmas to the people who sacked both Frank and Dyche, like they did for Ange...

Glory eye end to goal drought as Canberra visit beckons Perth Glory coach Stephen Peters admits their recent goal-scoring drought is a concern and has challenged his side to take the game to Canberra United and keep their finals hopes alive.

Perth Glory have not found the net in a Dub match since their 1-1 draw with Central Coast in mid-January, which amounts to 369 minutes including stoppage time - but Stephen Peters isn't worried just yet.

Young sprint stars keeping elder statesman on his toes Sprint star Rohan Browning says the emergence of hot-shots Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy is pushing him to stay sharp as he continues his quest to become the third Australian to break the fabled 10-se...

Spoke to Rohan Browning ahead of his Perth Track Classic appearance next week about the hunt for a sub-10 100m - and how Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy are spurring him on to greater heights.

Levi’s lofty ambitions: Wallaroos, Jillaroos and Olympics 2024 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year Maddison Levi is not merely concerned with being the best possible version of a sevens player — she wants to conquer every terrain possible.

Spoke to Maddison Levi about her lofty goals.

She opened up on the prospect of one day being a dual international for Australia in both union AND league and retiring after the Brisbane Olympics.

She's one of Australia's great athletes for a reason.

Glory rue missed opportunity as Nix move top of table Perth Glory have missed an opportunity to keep pace with the top six in the A-League Women’s finals race after going down 1-0 to newly-minted ladder-leaders Wellington Phoenix.

When you're in a finals race - and specifically, this Dub finals race - the margins a fine. Perth Glory may come to rue that very avoidable 45+4 goal to Makala Woods.

Death of a Sports Section The Washington Post sports department was dismantled before its leaders gave it a chance to change

Me on the death of the Washington Post sports section.

This isn't a day to be nostalgic. It's a day to be angry.
www.theringer.com/2026/02/04/m...

Glory’s closer ready to swap bullpen for starting role Jaiden Kucharski might be the A-League’s best super-sub given his remarkable record of scoring late winners off the bench - but the young forward has his eye on a spot in Perth Glory’s starting 11.

Jaiden Kucharski might be the A-League’s best super-sub given his remarkable record of scoring late winners off the bench — but the young forward has his eye on a spot in Perth Glory’s starting 11.