CommBank Matilda #237 Kahli Johnson said that she has no words to describe the feeling of scoring on her debut for the national team.
The 21-year-old – who currently plays for Calgary Wild FC in Canada, after spending three years in the A-League Women for Western United – spoke post-match about her debut in front of over 43,000 people.
“It's the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of, and for them all to be cheering for us was pretty incredible,” she said.
“Starting hasn't really sunk in yet, scoring as well - I can't believe it. It’s going to take a little bit to fully comprehend.”
Her goal was a header at the back post after a pinpoint cross in from right-back Charli Grant.
“It's been drilled into me a lot to always be back post, waiting for that ball over the top, and I saw Charli [Grant] looking for it,” she said.
“There was a similar one where I was just offside beforehand. I was just waiting for that ball, and it landed perfectly.”
Johnson looked immediately comfortable out on the pitch and seemed far from a nervous debutant. She credited her teammates for helping her and lifting her up before the game.
“They were so supportive this week, in training before the game,” she said.
“So many of them came up to me and just told me to go out there and play like any other game. Play how I have been in training.
“Alanna [Kennedy] was having a chat with me about tactics before the game. She was looking for me on the long ball. She was also just telling me to relax and play my game.”
To have the game in Melbourne, where Johnson lived for three years, made the occasion extra special.
“Being able to come back here and play in a place that's so familiar - to be driving around the streets, and recognising things - it was a pretty special feeling,” she said.
“It definitely made me miss the city a little bit! It's really cool to feel comfortable and play in a place that you know.”
She shared how special it was to be able to celebrate the moment with the most important people in her life.
“My parents are here, my brother and my girlfriend. It was pretty cool to get to share that moment with them briefly after the game,” she said.
“They know how hard I've worked to get here, and they’ve been through so many ups and downs with me throughout the years. For them to get to see that moment, I'm so grateful… it was really special.”
Her debut coincided with Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni’s 150th game in charge of the CommBank Matildas.
He has become known over the years for giving players their debuts, and for Johnson, marking that milestone with him at the helm was very special.
“Tommy, he's a legend,” she said.
“He’s done so much for so many people, and just knowing how much the girls respect him, it means a lot for him to bring me in and trust me with playing under him.”
Match Two
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Monday, 2 June 2025
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets