The Matildas are either “shit” or “honey” according to Japan coach Nils Nielsen, who evaded a question on whether his side are favourites in a bemusing final press conference ahead of Saturday’s Women’s Asian Cup decider.
Japan are ranked No 6 in the world and easily accounted for the Matildas 4-0 just over a year ago, but the Greenland-born Dane refused to answer a question about favouritism with a comic turn.
“It’s like asking a bee to explain to a fly, why honey is better than shit?” Nielsen said. “We are talking about a final in a major tournament. Both teams can win. They have 50% chance of winning.
“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.
“We have to do the same. Those that do it the best and adapt during the game will win it. It’s 50-50.”
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro echoed Nielsen’s sentiments.
“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 said. “If we manage the moments well tomorrow [Saturday]we’ll do well in the game.”
Nielsen was effusive in his praise for his own team, even if he was cautious about claiming the tag as favourites.
“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. “It’s incredible to watch, and I enjoy it very much.”
The former Manchester City technical director is familiar with Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy due to their overlapping time at the club, although Kennedy now plays for the London City Lionesses following a stint in the US.
While he said he liked Australian players, he also revealed City pursued more Japanese players after the success of midfielder Yui Hasegawa. There are now four Japanese players 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,” he said.
Nielsen became the first foreign-born coach of Nadeshiko Japan, the national women’s team named after a flower, late in 2024, and on Friday he showed his comfort with international media.
“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.”
