Matildas to face fearsome Japan in Olympic qualifying mission

Detailed summary

Joe Montemurro’s side will have to top a group featuring Asian Cup winners Japan to book a direct spot at Los Angeles 2028.

The Matildas have been assigned a daunting rematch with Asian Cup champions Japan as they set their sights on qualifying for Los Angeles 2028, which could also be the team’s final appearance at an Olympic Games.

The draw for next year’s Asian Olympic qualifiers was conducted on Thursday afternoon in Malaysia, with Joe Montemurro’s side landing in Group A, which also features Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.

But they copped the worst of two possible outcomes from pot one, setting up another clash with the fearsome Nadeshiko, who outclassed the Matildas 1-0 in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup final in Sydney earlier this year to all but shut the door on this generation’s hopes of a major trophy.

It has been over a decade since the Matildas defeated Japan in a competitive fixture – but that could be what is required of Sam Kerr and her teammates to book their spot at the next Olympics, or at least do so the easy way.

Only the top team from the two groups in Asian qualifying will clinch a direct berth at LA28, while the second-placed teams will face each other in a play-off, with the winner to then square off against Argentina for the last remaining berth.

In that instance, Group B’s runners-up are likely to be either North Korea, South Korea or China - all of whom have caused problems for the Matildas in recent years.

GROUP B: North Korea (12), South Korea (17), China (18), Philippines (39)

The Matildas will return to action later this month with a two-match friendly series against Colombia, with their bid to reach the Olympics to begin in April.

Heightening the stakes is the possibility that 2028 could be the last time the Matildas grace the Olympic stage.

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