Steph Catley will be front and centre as the CommBank Matildas will be heading to Victoria in December for a two-match series against Chinese Taipei.
AAMI Park in Melbourne will host game one on Wednesday, 4 December, while GMHBA Stadium in Geelong will be the site of the team’s final match of the year on Saturday, 7 December.
The opportunity to play in front of family and friends means the world to the Victorian.
“It means a lot to play for the national team in general, but playing at home in Victoria, in front of family and friends, is everything,” she expressed.
“Every time we get to go home just to see them, let alone play in front of them – I definitely cherish those moments.”
AAMI Park was the site of one of the more memorable moments of Australia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ campaign when the CommBank Matildas defeated Canada 4-0 in a must-win do-or-die scenario.
Catley said that the game was her “favourite game of football I’ve ever been involved with.”
“The whole tournament was pretty amazing,” she recalled. “But that game, being in my home state, knowing how many of my family and friends were in the crowd and the importance of the game as well, and just the way it unfolded – obviously, scoring a lot of the goals.”
“The crowd was probably one of the smaller ones we’d had in that tournament, but they were by far the loudest. We love AAMI Park. We love the size of it, and how close the fans feel. I’m sure all the girls will be really looking forward to being back there and playing a game again.”
The Arsenal defender also expressed excitement for the game in Geelong, about an hour and a half down the freeway from Melbourne.
“It’s important to play in regional spaces,” she explained. “I think cities always get the big games and big moments, but there’s also young girls and young boys out there that are aspiring to be Matildas or Socceroos. So I think the more we can play out in those spaces, the better.
“I’ve played out there a lot growing up as a kid, but also as a professional. There’s always a big crowd, and always a lot of excited people coming to watch us. So, we’re definitely looking forward to that.”
Australia’s opposition Chinese Taipei will provide a stern test, with a well-organised defensive block and weapons in transition.
“Playing against Chinese Taipei this early on in the preparation is really good timing,” Catley outlined.
“We’ve not played against too many Asian teams in recent times. They’re some of the most difficult in the world – they’re so disciplined, they’re very smart players, they’re very technical. Getting back into playing against that style, it’s really good mentally and physically.
“Especially coming up to the Asian Cup – which we’re really excited about, and are already starting to think about preparations. That’s a trophy that we’re very hungry to get after and to try and win. Starting preparations against Chinese Taipei will be perfect for us.”
Catley had a clear message for fans ahead of the beginning of the next international cycle.
“My message to the fans, and everyone who supports us, would be to keep turning out for the Tillies,” she stated.
“We’ve come so far in terms of attention and growth in women’s football, and our fans are some of the most passionate, most dedicated fans in the world.
“I know a lot of them wake up and watch us over here in the WSL. Not a lot of people would understand how hard that is, waking up in the middle of the night and watching football like that, but we’re very lucky to have the support that we have.
“Keep showing up. Don’t let the momentum dwindle. Just because a lot of us Matildas are far away playing in different countries, it’s so important for the growth of women’s football in Australia for the momentum to keep driving. And that really starts really starts with the fans.”
CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2024
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: 10 and 10 Bold
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Saturday, 7 December 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Broadcast: 10 and 10 Bold
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets