CommBank Matildas forward Caitlin Foord said that the team had showed “Aussie spirit” in the knock-out stages of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, and she backed them to do the same in the final.
She was speaking after she scored the first goal in the team’s 2-1 victory over China PR in the semi-final on Tuesday evening.
The team will take on either Korea Republic or Japan in the final at Stadium Australia on Saturday.
“Tournaments are about creating momentum. We’ve been building each game, and I feel that will come good at the right time,” she said.
“But in saying that, you have to dig deep. We’ve shown the Aussie spirit in these last couple of games, and we need to do the same in the final - just dig deep and give it everything we have. I know we will.”
Her first goal of the tournament came at the best possible time.
“It's a big relief to do my job for the team and to finish one off,” she said.
“It’s massive. It is a team performance, and that's what it's about, spreading [the goals] around. We’ve had plenty of goal scorers, but I was just happy to see mine hit the back of the net tonight.”
In addition to her goal, Foord provided the assist that Sam Kerr finished off in the second half. That goal proved to be the winner.
“We've obviously had many years together, but with Sammy's injuries and mine along the way, we've had a few years without each other,” she recalled.
“We cherish those moments even more now when we do get to play on the pitch together, because it just comes naturally for us. I know I can find her and she'll put it in the back of the net. I'm glad it went in tonight.”
She also had praise for long-time teammate Emily van Egmond, who broke the record for most national team appearances when she entered the field of play for the 170th time.
“She's obviously been around for a very long time and put in a lot of matches and a lot of minutes. She's given her everything to this country,” she said.
“I’m super proud of her, and she deserves everything that comes with it. She’s still going, so we don't stop there!”
She had a message for the fans ahead of the final on Saturday.
“I hope everyone gets out to the game and can support us, because these last couple of games, the fans have helped push us through to get the win - especially in the end, when we need to dig deep, that energy they give us has been massive,” she said.
“So let's fill it up. I want to see green and gold everywhere.
“We're going to leave everything out there. We've worked so hard to get into this position and have this opportunity. We’ll give it our everything. Hopefully, it's one of those moments where Aussies remember where they were when the Matildas win the Asian Cup.”
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Final
Japan or Korea Republic v CommBank Matildas
Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Time: 8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Radio: ABC Sport & ABC Listen
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