'It's about flicking a switch': Matildas not yet ready to beat Japan with Joe Montemurro's tactical vision

Control.

It's the one characteristic Joe Montemurro loves about a football team he coaches. Control the ball. Control the tempo. Control the opponent.

But if he is to guide the Matildas to a long-awaited major trophy on Saturday night, Montemurro will probably have to do without his comfort word.

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Japan await in the Asian Cup final. Japan will control the ball. Possession. Probably territory. That's fine. No harm. Well done to Japan. This is a country that in 2005 introduced a 100-year football plan, and is so proud of the plan it has named its current bridging season in men's football (as it moves from a summer to winter schedule) the "100 Year Vison League".

Beat that for a flex.

Australian football doesn't even have a 10-minute plan.

It's down to how the wind blows. Whoever happens to be in charge of a national team, Socceroos or Matildas, brought in by the breeze of fate, sets the philosophical platform to operate with.

What's the better way? Guess we'll know in 2105, when Japan's 100-year ambition can be truly analysed.

When Montemurro was belatedly appointed to the Tillies job last year, he quickly established his requirement for more control in games.

This Asian Cup has been the first real test. There have been signs, but in spurts. To summarise the thee main games in terms of control:

Group game against South Korea

Some, but not enough, certainly not in the second half when South Korea went 3-2 up.

Quarter-final against North Korea

Nowhere near enough. The North Koreans controlled large parts of the second half as definitively as their leader controls their parliament. Still, moments of brilliance won the night for Australia.

Semi-final against China

Better, and the closing-out of the contest was pleasing, with Mackenzie Arnold much less busy as the night went on.

Not exactly, however, the total control factor to trouble Japan, who when they lose the ball will quickly swarm the opponent in possession to win it back.

To the final...

So to plot a path to victory, it's important to revise who makes up this Matildas team, and where they've been.

Nearly a decade ago, the bulk of this Matildas group - Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Emily van Egmond, Katrina Gorry, Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter - burst into the national consciousness.

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The 2017 Tournament of Nations was taken with three wins against the USA, Japan and Brazil, the last of which was a 6-1 obliteration. It built hype, and the hype stuck. Crowds flocked. The brand built. The type of football became somewhat of an afterthought outside the bubble.

Inside the bubble, since the dismissal of Alen Stajcic in 2019, the team has been caught between trying to be one that can control an opponent with possession and one that can operate with breathtaking stealth.

Unless exposed form from this tournament is tipped upside down, the latter is how the Asian Cup final will be won against Japan.

Should the Matildas beat the initial press with one or two brave passes, it's the moment to set the match-winners free.

Kerr is back. That finish in the semi-final is all the proof required. Foord is always capable of carnage.

Japan will bop the ball around with ambition and poise, one fifth into a century-long plan to dominate football.

Control? The Matildas will have to find that without the ball and keep calm out of possession.

This isn't a game about a philosophy. Or a vision.

It's about flicking a switch in certain moments. Just like we know the Matildas can.