CommBank Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry spoke following Australia's defeat to the reigning European Champions, England, about how the match was a learning experience for the side, leading into next year's AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.
Gorry spoke following the defeat to England, with the October FIFA Window marking the midfielder's return to the team for the first time since the SheBelieves Cup in February.
"Yeah, it's tough. Obviously, going down to 10 players pretty early on is always going to be tough defensively. But I thought we dug in deep. I mean, it's a bit of a learning for us."
"Sometimes it happens in the game. But I thought for most patches, we defended really well. We worked really hard. But yeah, it's tough to get up the field and get in good scoring positions with a player down"
The game saw the CommBank Matildas play 70 minutes down 10 players after Alanna Kennedy received a red card following a foul on Alessia Russo, challenging the team to play against the European Champions down a player.
"We know what happens in a game when you go down to 10. You've got to work hard. It was tough for us out there, but we learned a lot. I thought we defended well; it's something to build on."
Gorry returned to the team for the first time since the SheBelieves Cup in February, with the midfielder missing the last three FIFA International Windows through injury and personal leave.
The midfielder started both games in the International Window and played her first games under the new head coach, Joe Montemurro.
"It's the most enjoyable camp I've had in a long time. I really loved being under Joe. I feel like I have a lot of freedom. The environment feels really positive. I feel like we're going in a really good direction."
The two-match window provides the team with valuable preparation ahead of next year's AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ on home soil, with Gorry explaining how important these two games were.
"Looking to the Asian Cup, I think these kinds of moments are where you learn. When we went down to 10, I thought we put in a really solid effort. We've got to be ready for it in a tournament."
Australia will return home for their final games of the year when they host Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand, in Gosford and Adelaide to wrap up the year.
"It's always exciting to go home, be in front of your home fans. I think it's nice that it's a quick turnaround to get the green and gold jersey back on in front of a home crowd, and leading into the Asian Cup is always important."
COMMBANK MATILDAS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 | MATCH SCHEDULE
CommBank Matildas v New Zealand
Date: Friday, 28 November 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: polytec Stadium, Gosford
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v New Zealand
Date: Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Kick-off: 8pm ACDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy Tickets