Words from the dugout: Perth Azzurri NPLWA Senior Women’s Head Coach, Tom Glavovic, reflects on another elite international test against Chinese Taipei.
Last night, the Perth Azzurri Women’s Team had the privilege of stepping onto the pitch for our second international friendly of the week, this time testing ourselves against the Chinese Taipei Women’s National Team.
Serving as our final warm-up match before the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup officially kicks off this Sunday (headlined by Australia taking on the Philippines), it was another fantastic occasion for our club and an outstanding benchmark for our group.
Chinese Taipei proved exactly why they continue to compete strongly on the international stage.
They were a high-quality opponent—a team full of class, technical ability, and strong tactical organisation. Exceptionally well-coached, they contributed to a truly great footballing contest, and we wish them every success in the upcoming tournament.
From our side of the dugout, the Azzurri delivered another excellent performance. When you play international-caliber squads, there is nowhere to hide, and our team stood up to the challenge.
Our squad consistently demonstrated:
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Great composure under pressure when playing out.
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Strong tactical awareness against a highly organised block.
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Bravery in possession, trusting our identity.
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Discipline and unity across all phases of the game.
I was very pleased with the overall team performance. The players expressed themselves confidently, managed key moments well, and continued to show immense growth in both individual and collective understanding.
“Most importantly, performances like this confirm that the Perth Azzurri Women’s Program is on an excellent trajectory. The growth, professionalism, and ambition within the squad reflect the positive direction of the club.”
Matches like this provide invaluable learning opportunities. We gained crucial insights into our identity, our strengths, and the specific areas we will continue to refine as we push forward.
These experiences are the foundation of our development.
The international tests have been incredible, but our local mission remains the priority. We now turn our full focus to the upcoming NPLWA Night Series fixture this Friday evening.
We are excited. We are building momentum. We are ready.
Forza Azzurri.