The Matildas secured a place in the Women's Asian Cup final with a 2-1 win over China, thanks to goals from Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr. Coach Joe Montemurro faced scrutiny for his decision to leave key player Hayley Raso on the bench, especially after she had recovered from a concussion that had sidelined her during earlier matches. Despite her usual importance to the team, Montemurro emphasized that his choice was purely tactical and not related to Raso's fitness.

Raso had previously missed out on matches against South Korea and North Korea due to concussion, making her absence in the semifinal unexpected. The match at Perth Stadium drew a substantial crowd of 35,170 fans, illustrating the growing support for the Matildas as they pursue their first Asian Cup title since 2010. Montemurro explained that he felt Raso may not have found the necessary space to contribute effectively against the opposing defense in that matchup.

Looking ahead, the Matildas now prepare for the final with heightened anticipation, as this tournament presents a critical opportunity for the team to add significant silverware to their collection. The coach's decisions about player selection and tactics will be closely watched, especially as the Matildas aim to translate their strong performances into a championship win, boosting Australian women's football and its international profile further.