Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter has expressed her frustration at the Women’s Asian Cup’s scheduling, calling on FIFA to ensure future tournaments don’t clash with major league finals.
Carpenter and Chelsea teammate Sam Kerr missed Sunday’s League Cup final against Manchester United at Ashton Gate due to national commitments, with Australia preparing for their Women’s Asian Cup semi-final against China at the 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium on Tuesday. Chelsea won the match 2-0.
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“I don’t think any other major tournament runs through a season, and obviously that’s disappointing for some,” Carpenter told reporters in Perth on Sunday.
“Sam and I have a league cup final night that we are missing, and that’s quite disappointing.
“I think now that women’s footballers that represent AFC are playing in Europe, I think that would definitely need to be looked at for the next one in four years. Maybe putting in June or July when normal major tournaments are on.
“It’s not nice missing games and missing league games and a congested tournament in the middle of the season is also probably not great for longevity.”
Elsewhere, China coach Ante Milicic declared his team has no fear of facing hosts Australia in front of a big crowd this week, calling his players “resilient and patriotic”.
On Saturday, the defending champions needed extra-time to edge Taiwan 2-0 in their last eight clash despite being raging favourites, while Australia booked their spot in the final four a day earlier with a testing 2-1 win over North Korea.
Facing the hosts in front of their home fans may be nerve-wracking, but Milicic – who is Australian and has coached the Chinese women’s team since 2024 – said he was confident in his players’ mentality.
“These players are unfazed playing in front of opposing crowds – their mentality as a nation is incredibly strong,” said the 51-year-old, who coached the Matildas at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
“They are not afraid of anyone and in fact that could even work to our advantage.
“These players are resilient and patriotic, and I see it every day. I would back these girls against any opponent.”
Eight players from Australia’s 2019 World Cup side – Sam Kerr, Alanna Kennedy, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry, Mackenzie Arnold and Emily van Egmond – remain in the squad for this Asian Cup, so Milicic is more than familiar with his upcoming opponent.
“Those girls, they’ve been together from a young age, they’re not only teammates they are friends,” Milicic said.
“They have been through a lot of tough times and their carers have been tough from when they were younger, you look at them now, that wasn’t the case for them, they worked extremely hard to get there.”
Carpenter predicted the semi-final would be a “tough game” for the Matildas, who are searching for their first major title since 2010.
“We watched their game yesterday. China PR are a strong team,” she said.
“(Milicic) is a great coach, he runs a tight ship.
“He was very structured, organised and I know he has China very structured and organised in possession and out of possession, they’re a tough team to break down.
“They have great attacking threats as well so we know they’ll be organised, they are the reigning champions of this tournament.
“It’s a big game for us, but we are ready.”
China are bidding for a record-extending 10th continental title and will have to get past Australia without their star player Wang Shuang.
She picked up a yellow card for the second straight match against Taiwan and has been ruled out.
“Even without Wang Shuang, it doesn’t bother us,” insisted Milicic of the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham striker.
“Wang Shuang has been excellent for us throughout this tournament.
“I’ve been head coach for two years and of course losing her is a blow but at the same time, this tournament is about 26 players and it’s an opportunity for someone else to showcase their talent against Australia.”
The Women’s Asian Cup semi-final between Australia and China gets underway in Perth on Tuesday at 9pm AEDT.