Experienced CommBank Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry said that the team was excited and ready for the challenge of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.
She was speaking to the media ahead of the first group stage game against the Philippines on Sunday evening in Perth.
“Our preparation has got us ready,” she said.
“We played a variety of teams, and you've always got to adapt as a footballer, whether it's the teams that you play, or the players that you have in at the time. We’ve gotten ready for it for the last couple of months.
“It’s a challenge. But we love a challenge. We’re up for it.
“We’ve had some up and down moments over the last couple of years, but I think that's what's brought us all together, and made us want more. I think we're really ready for it.”
The team will focus on taking things one game at a time, knowing that no opponent will be easy on such a big stage.
“The calibre of teams that we have in this tournament is top tier,” she explained.
“It’s going to push us hard. No game is going to be easy. Everyone's going to throw different things at us. But we've come together as a group. We've got a lot of great players in the team, a lot of experience, a lot of players playing in great leagues across the world. It’s our time to really stamp our foot on the Asian Cup and make sure we come home with a trophy.”
The drive to finish the tournament with a trophy is something that Gorry has used to help her prepare.
“A tournament at home is always exciting, and putting on the green and gold in front of friends and family is something special,” she said.
“A lot of my drive over the last six months has been to get to this tournament, play in front of home fans, enjoy the moment and hopefully come away with the trophy.”
Head Coach Joe Montemurro has a plethora of midfield options to choose from, including Gorry herself. She is confident that the squad will do a good job.
“It's always much easier when you have such experience around you and players of the calibre that we have,” she said.
As one of the senior members of the team, Gorry has witnessed the growth of women’s football firsthand. It will be on display again come the opening game on Sunday.
“It's such a privilege, and something we hold close to our hearts,” she said.
“Whenever we leave Australia to go back to our clubs, we always get excited for the next games we get here, or the next tournament we get to play. It’s been so special to watch the growth in women's football – the young kids coming to our game, the turnout we had - and to host a tournament like this is going to be incredible.
“I hope all the fans can get out. I hope it's going to be an amazing tournament. I'll enjoy every moment of it.”
She reiterated that it was full speed ahead for the opening game against the Philippines.
“We haven't had that much time in this camp, but we've been working hard, whether it's videos that he's [Montemurro] sending through to get across our game plan or the previous camps,” she said.
“Every minute we're on the football field, it goes towards this tournament. Everyone's been working hard, whether they're in their club teams or watching videos from Joe in camp.
“We’ve been trying to get as much knowledge and information from him as we can. It hasn't been a long camp, but with all the camps combined, I think we've had a good preparation.”
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™
CommBank Matildas v Philippines
Date: Sunday, 1 March 2026
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Time: 5:00pm AWST/8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
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IR Iran v CommBank Matildas
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2026
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast
Time: 7:00pm AEST/8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
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CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Sunday, 8 March 2026
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Time: 8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
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