When the CommBank Matildas needed a hero against China PR in the first game of the ‘Til It’s Done Fareweel Series, Michelle Heyman stood up.
The 35-year-old’s 95th minute equaliser was her sixth goal since returning to the national team in February, and secured a 1-1 result in front of a sell-out crowd at Adelaide Oval.
Post-match Heyman absorbed the emotions of the game’s dramatic finish.
“We have that never say die attitude,” she expressed.
“I was just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. The ball fell straight to my foot, and I just knew that I had to smack it in. The one thing I was told by the coaching staff was to try and stay in the box, and something will come. So I’m very grateful.”
She dedicated her expressive goal celebration – which she named “four corners” - to her partner, Christine.
The ‘Til It’s Done Farewell Series is an important step in preparation for Paris 2024™. Heyman explained that the way that they played on Friday night was all part of the CommBank Matildas' growth as a team.
“We definitely need to work on certain things against different teams, and that was a very hard challenging block to play against [against China],” she said.
“They didn’t allow us to make runs in behind, and our strength is getting in behind their backline. But this is something that we’ve got to try and figure out on the field whilst we’re there.
“We started to communicate more, we moved the team around a little bit more, and tried to keep pressing, keep going forward, and win the ball back as soon as possible.”
Heyman is one of many squad members tussling to be a part of the tight 18-player squad for Paris 2024™, due to be selected next week.
“My main focus is to try and create as many chances as possible, make sure I’m making those runs,” she emphasised, “because [as a] number nine, my number one job is to be in the box, and they’re usually simple goals like tonight.
“So for myself, it’s continuing to be in the right place at the right time, working as hard as possible, and doing everything I can do to get on that plane.”
She praised the 52,912 fans that showed up at Adelaide Oval, a 13th consecutive sell-out crowd.
“Incredible crowd,” she exclaimed. “It was so amazing to hear that massive roar as soon as the goal went in, so I’m grateful that we gave them a little bit more to celebrate.
“Of course, we wanted to bring in more goals and give them a more entertaining game but, you know, they’re very happy. They’re good people, and it’s very exciting to be here.”
She finished by touching on what the team will take from this game into the second match of the series, on Monday night in Sydney.
“We’ve got our game plan, so we’ve just need to try and figure that out a lot faster on the field. Maybe our ball speed, if we can pick that up and try and work off each other.
“It’s hard – some games are just like this – but we’re going to try and stay positive and do the best we can.”