Coaches Sidestep Favorites Question Before Asian Cup Decider
In a fascinating pre-match press conference, both Matildas coach Joe Montemurro and Japan counterpart Nils Nielsen deliberately avoided labeling either team as favorites ahead of Saturday's 2026 Women's Asian Cup final showdown. The two managers presented a united front in dismissing the notion of clear favorites, instead emphasizing the unpredictable nature of championship matches.
Nielsen's Unconventional Analogy
Japan's Greenland-born Danish coach Nils Nielsen delivered what many described as a comic turn when pressed about whether his sixth-ranked team should be considered favorites. "It's like asking a bee to explain to a fly, why honey is better than shit?" Nielsen quipped, drawing laughter from assembled media. "We are talking about a final in a major tournament. Both teams can win. They have 50% chance of winning."
The Japan coach elaborated on his equal-footing perspective, noting that both squads possess intimate knowledge of each other's strengths and weaknesses. "They know precisely our strengths, they know precisely their own strengths, they know weaknesses from us, they know their own weaknesses, and they have to set up a game plan to minimise the weaknesses and put the strengths in play," Nielsen explained. "We have to do the same. Those that do it the best and adapt during the game will win it. It's 50-50."
Montemurro Echoes Sentiments
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro mirrored his counterpart's assessment, firmly rejecting any suggestion of favorites in the championship match. "There's no favourites in the final, it's the best team and the one who wants it more and the one who is smart enough to manage the moments," Montemurro stated. "If we manage the moments well tomorrow [Saturday], we'll do well in the game."
This diplomatic approach comes despite Japan's convincing 4-0 victory over Australia just over a year ago, a result that might otherwise suggest Japanese superiority. Both coaches instead focused on the unique pressures and opportunities presented by tournament finals, where previous results often become irrelevant.
Praise and Preparation
Nielsen offered effusive praise for his Japanese squad while maintaining his cautious stance about favoritism. "They can play faster than almost any team in the world when they have the day and the moment that they are in the zone," he said of his players. "It's incredible to watch, and I enjoy it very much."
The former Manchester City technical director revealed his familiarity with several Australian players, including Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy from their overlapping time at the English club. Interestingly, Nielsen noted that Manchester City's recruitment strategy shifted toward Japanese players following the success of midfielder Yui Hasegawa, with four Japanese players now at the club.
"They are different kinds of players, and they shine in other ways, but the way we wanted to play was so fitting with the Japanese," Nielsen explained, highlighting the tactical compatibility between his preferred style and Japanese footballing attributes.
Cultural Comfort and Final Thoughts
Nielsen, who became the first foreign-born coach of Nadeshiko Japan (the national women's team named after a flower) in late 2024, demonstrated remarkable comfort with international media during the press conference. He returned to his earlier analogy with characteristic humor, saying, "Next time I get a chance to see a fly, I will ask them, 'Why the hell are you sitting on shit when there's honey right next to it? And then he says, 'For me, it tastes better'. OK, [I would say] 'Go ahead, I don't like shit, so you can have it. I go for the honey.' Maybe Joe has a different opinion."
As both teams complete their final preparations, the coaches' refusal to claim favorite status creates an intriguing psychological backdrop to what promises to be a tightly contested final. With record crowds expected and both nations eagerly anticipating the outcome, Saturday's match represents not just a championship decider but a significant moment for women's football in the Asian region.
