Joe Montemurro hopes focus is on football for Iran’s women at Asian Cup
Guardian Sport
by Jack Snape at Perth StadiumMarch 1, 2026
Australia coach bats away Middle East crisis question
Matildas beat Philippines 1-0; Iran game is on Thursday
Joe Montemurro said he wants the focus before his Australia women’s team’s Asian Cup match against Iran on Thursday to be on football, as the continental sporting showpiece wrestles with the escalating Middle East conflict.
The host nation defeated the Philippines 1-0 in Sunday’s tournament opener in Perth. Iran and South Korea – the other teams Group A – meet on Monday, before the Matildas play the Iranians on Thursday.
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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 3/1/2026