The Women’s Asian Cup kicks off this Sunday in Perth and for the Matildas, represents a true return to the public eye in a competitive sense for the first time since their magical 2023 World Cup run.

Their semi-final finish at that tournament, replete with group stage tension, penalty drama and a match-up with old enemy England in a new sporting context, saw them become Australia’s favourite sporting side, selling out their next sixteen matches on home soil.

But the gloss faded following a hapless showing at the 2024 Olympics, and then the interminable bridging period between managers Tony Gustavsson and Joe Montemurro. If some supporters afforded their Paris effort in the dead of Australian night a mulligan, there will be no such sympathy this time around.

For a squad that has been vastly experienced for a long time, this presents as a final chance to tangibly succeed. Montemurro has a near-full strength 26 players at his disposal, with Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler overcoming long-term injuries. The Matildas must make the semi-finals to qualify for next year’s Women’s World Cup automatically – but pre-tournament discourse has pondered why national expectations are not higher than that.

‘The expectations are high, and a lot of people want us to do well. We’re probably our harshest critics, we want ourselves to do well’, veteran winger Hayley Raso told reporters in Perth on Tuesday.

‘I wouldn’t say that we feel pressure to perform – but we love the pressure, we love performing here in Australia.’

Former Matildas manager Alen Stajcic argues there is no shame in ambition, and even less benefit in mitigating against it in preparation for possible failure. Stajcic led the Matildas to their highest FIFA ranking of fourth during his 2014-19 tenure, which ended in his highly contentious sacking.

‘For me, they should be trying to win the tournament. I think they are the favourite. There’s enough experience in that team, with 12-13 from even back from when I was coaching, with 100 caps in the locker. World Cup semi-finals, Olympics semi-finals, there’s that much experience’, Stajcic told Box2Box.

‘Particularly in being at home, they should be aiming to win the title, for sure. And I’m sure internally they are. We should be setting the bar up as high as we can. I don’t see people in other sports in Australia saying, ‘Oh, let’s just aim to qualify for the World Cup’, or ‘ let’s just aim to qualify for the Olympics.’

‘We should be aiming for gold, the top of the podium. Probably along with Japan, they are my favourites – there’s so much experience in this team, players that have played at the highest level for such a long time. You just can’t get that in many other national teams around the world.’

First up for the Matildas are the Philippines, a nation Stajcic also managed successfully (2021-23). What seemed a surprising, perhaps sideways move at the time – post-Matildas, Stajcic had settled in the A-League Men’s with Central Coast – turned into ‘still to this day, my favourite coaching gig.’

Reaching the semi-finals at the 2022 Asian Cup in India saw the Filipinas reach the Women’s World Cup for the first time; stationed in New Zealand for their group stage they rolled the hosts 1-0 in Wellington. The side remains in Australian hands, now managed by former Western United Women’s boss Mark Torcaso.

‘Seeing where we came from and where we got to was unheard of. It was in the realms of movies, Cool Runnings and things like that, as the total underdog who comes through and achieves miracles,’ said Stajcic.

‘They have an unbelievable culture of gratitude and appreciation of what they’re given. To come from an environment of people who have nothing and then get something and really embrace it and be grateful was really pleasing.’

‘It was a pinch myself moment at Eden Park when we played Norway in the last game; 35,000 people there and I’d say 30,000 of them were Filipinos. It was a real transcendent moment in my life to see many people come out and support [the team].’

To reach the World Cup is again a huge task, even following its expansion to 32 teams. The 41st ranked Philippines will also play South Korea (21) and Iran (68). The AFC now has six guaranteed slots in Brazil, with the four quarter-final losers to play off for two direct places, and a further two into the inter-confederation playoffs.

‘Mark and I talk every now and then… I’m really happy for him about how they’ve progressed. When I started they were a team with an average of five-to-ten caps and now they’ve been to two Asian Cups, a World Cup, a couple of SEA Games, AFF tournaments.

‘They’ve got a squad now of a lot more depth, quality, certainly experience, which ultimately gives you more belief. Can they compete with Australia? I think it’s probably still a bridge too far, but I certainly think they’re going to make it a tough game for them.’

Australian play the Philippines at 8pm (AEDT) this Sunday at Optus Stadium, Perth.