CommBank Matildas keen to build on tone-setting performance

The Commonwealth Bank Matildas began their AFC Women's Asian Cup campaign with a bang. 

The 18-0 win over Indonesia was a statement of intent and the team was delighted with the performance. 

For defender Ellie Carpenter, a good start in tournament mode was crucial following past tournaments. 

"I think it's very important to set the tone early, we spoke about this at the beginning of the tournament and in some tournaments, we hadn't had the best of starts," she said.

"But this was one big thing for us that we really wanted to do and I think we definitely achieved that. We're looking forward to the next game and to keep this form and to build off every match and to be even better than we were yesterday."

The huge score line was a reflection of the team's desire to be clinical in the front third. With nine different goal scorers - including Carpenter - and an even nine goals in both halves, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas achieved that goal. 

"I think it's very important for us to be ruthless, to get those final third shots in and to be clinical," Carpenter said.

"I think it's very important to get that confidence in these early games. So come the semi-final and final, we know we can finish those chances and get that repetition."

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In addition to being clinical, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas wanted to show their opponents the respect they deserved. 

Midfielder Clare Wheeler described the importance of not letting ranking dictate how the team approaches a match. 

"Regardless of ranking, we treat every game the same, and we're going to treat them with the respect they deserve," she explained.

"We want to win this tournament. There's no doubt about it, there's no ifs or buts and that's the way we want to treat every game and that's what we did."

While it was a big result for Australia it was also a big day for Wheeler who made her tournament debut and played her first full 90 for the national team. 

"When Tony told me [I'd be playing] I was ecstatic really, there's not really another way to put it," Wheeler admitted. 

"But I knew I had a job to do. And the first game we really wanted to make a statement and win this tournament and that's what we did."

The Commonwealth Bank Matildas will take these same guiding principles into their second match of the group against the Philippines. 

"We know how we want to play now," Carpenter explained. "And we know we want to take the next step to the next level in the next game and to keep building on that performance."

"I think whatever team we play, we come out with the same motivation and mentality, and we're just very excited and we're very ready for this match."

Commonwealth Bank Matildas Matches | AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ | Group Stage

Philippines v Commonwealth Bank Matildas
Date: Monday, 24 January 2022
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
Kick-off:  3.30pm (local), 9pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on Network 10 and 10 Play

Commonwealth Bank Matildas v Thailand
Date: Thursday, 27 January 2022 / Friday, 28 January 2022
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local), 01:00am (AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on Network 10 and 10 Play

For more information on the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, please visit here.