Caitlin Foord said that this window is a great time to keep pushing the team forward ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2026.
She was speaking to the media in Brisbane after arriving in camp yesterday ahead of games against Brazil and Chinese Taipei in Queensland and Victoria.
“Bring here, some Aussie-based girls are getting a good chance to see how they go,” she said.
“The ultimate goal is the Asian Cup next for us. So it’s a great time to see players and keep pushing the team forward.”
The Arsenal forward said she was excited to be back in Australia and to play in front of home fans for the first time since June.
“It’s a great opportunity when we come back here in Australia to play, especially back in Brissy, we’ve had some great memories here,” she said.
“I’m excited to be back here and to go out there at Suncorp and play again.”
Adapting her style of play from the club level to the international level is always a small challenge, but holds no concerns for Foord.
“It doesn’t take long to adapt back into the Matildas environment, and the type of style we want to play,” she explained.
“When you put on the green and gold, it’s not so much about tactics, it’s about playing for your country and giving everything.”
The women’s game is evolving quickly, particularly in Europe where Foord is based with Arsenal.
She was asked about that evolution and about the toll that puts on players.
“That’s the way the game is going. There’s a lot more games, there’s a lot more demands on us to play,” she said.
“I mean, this is where every female footballer has wanted the game to go. The scheduling – that’s obviously up to the leagues and the federations to discuss on how that should be, but for us to play and play games is all we’ve ever wanted.
“[but] We have that support. We have the networks you need, if it’s mental, physical support you need, we have options for all of that. As it should be, everyone has that option to get the support that they need.”
The CommBank Matildas will have an open training session on Tuesday, 4.00pm AEST at QSAC in Brisbane.
Foord said the interest in things like open training sessions is indicative of the massive growth in the game since the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.
“To have the open sessions and to have so many fans come out just to watch training shows where the game’s gone to and how far it’s come,” she said.
“We love the opportunity to be able to connect with them [the fans] and see them. Obviously it’s easier after a training session to be able to do that, rather than a game… so these training sessions are a great opportunity.”
The game at Suncorp will serve as a farewell match for Clare Polkinghorne. As the CommBank Matildas record appearance holder, she has been present for almost all of Foord’s career in the national team.
“I’m honoured to be here and to share her final game with her,” Foord reflected.
“She’s been a part of probably every single one of my caps. She’s given so much to the game here in Australia. I’m happy that we can give her a great send-off that she deserves.”
Australia’s opponents in Queensland, Brazil, are a top team in world football, exemplified by their silver medal in Paris.
Foord said that it would be a challenge to take them on but one that the team will embrace.
“We have a lot of history with Brazil, from major tournaments and knockout games,” she said.
“So it’s going to be a great opportunity for us, and a great challenge to come up against them, and do it here as well.
“It’ll be a good game.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | NOV / DEC 2024 INTERNATIONALS
CommBank Matildas v Brazil
Date: Thursday, 28 November 2024
Kick-off: 8:00pm local / 9:00pm AEDT
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
CommBank Matildas v Brazil
Date: Sunday, 1 December 2024
Kick-off: 6:35pm local / 7:35pm AEDT
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets