Joe Montemurro has delivered a glowing tribute to Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond as she stands on the cusp of overtaking Clare Polkinghorne as Australia’s most capped international footballer. 

Speaking ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup semi final against China in Perth, Montemurro also declared Steph Catley and Hayley Raso fit to play in a match that presents a huge stage for a new Australian sporting milestone to be set.

32-year-old van Egmond will likely have a key role to play; she has remained a pivotal part of Australia’s midfield since Montemurro has taken over and should she take the field on Tuesday night, will earn her 169th senior international cap, notched over a career spanning 16 years. 

Van Egmond has been a core part of a golden generation of players who have grown from baby faced teens into national heroes as the side, and women’s football, has exploded. 

While the quietly spoken star is not one to covet the headlines, and definitely didn’t want to dwell on her milestone in the press conference ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup semi final with China – “I hate talking about myself,” she said – her coach was happy to pick up the mantle.

“I said to her the other day, I think you’re one of Australia’s most talented footballers and I still believe that,” Montemurro said.

“Her football intelligence, her reading of the game, her technique, I think she’s one of the best footballers that we’ve produced. 

“That’s the reason why she’s here and is so known in the national team and is still an important part of the national team. 

“But the biggest thing is her humility, her ability to understand that the group is more important than the individual. 

“Obviously she doesn’t like it (when) she doesn’t start, but that’s normal. But there a few players that I’ve had the honour of coaching that I can have a really good technical conversation (with). And to be honest, we have good discussions about football and technique and things like that, and that’s unique.

“I don’t know if she wants to follow in her father’s footsteps (Gary van Egmond, current Western Sydney Wanderers’ coach in the A-League) and be a coach or something like that.

“I’m trying to tell her not to be a coach. 

“But I think even beyond football, think what Emily can contribute to us and what the family has contributed because her father’s an amazing coach too.

“I think is really, really special. 

“So, yeah, it’s about Emily, but it’s also about the contribution that the van Egmond family has made to football.”