CommBank Matildas forward Hayley Raso returned to the pitch in an Australian shirt for the first time since the SheBelieves Cup when the team defeated Slovenia 3-0 on Thursday evening.
She said it was a “nice feeling” after battling injury for the majority of the year.
The 30-year-old made an instant impact after coming on for the final 15 minutes of regulation time, seeing up a goal for Holly McNamara and then almost immediately scoring one of her own.
“[Returning] was a very nice feeling,” she said.
“I've been working hard the last few months, doing my rehab. So to be able to get back on the pitch was good for me, but to get the goal and assist topped it.”
She revealed what she was thinking watching the first half, in which both sides had a number of opportunities.
“It was tough because we had a lot of chances and we weren't able to convert,” she explained.
“But when we went in at halftime, Joe gave us a few things that we needed to tidy up - keep the ball better, get into better spaces. We tried to do that more in the second half.”
This window has been the first opportunity that the team has had to work with new Head Coach Joe Montemurro.
Raso said that it’s been a “high energy” start so far.
“It's been high energy. It's been all about keeping the ball, possessing the ball, and how we can break down teams,” she explained.
“We’re focusing on ourselves. It’s an early start for us getting ready for the Asian Cup, but having him here has already been incredible, and I think we'll see a lot of good stuff from us coming up.”
There will be a total of four games in this international window – one more game against Slovenia on Sunday, and then a two-game series against Panama.
Raso expressed her excitement for the upcoming fixutres.
“We've had this game tonight, so we're able to go and analyse that,” she said.
“I'm sure Joe will have a lot of things that he'll want to talk about. Then we’ll focus on this next one, and then we have Panama coming up, which we’re excited for.”
She finished with a message for the fans in Western Australia.
“Come out and support us, and we’ll put on a good show,” she said.
“We’ll see you there!”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | JUNE/JULY 2025 | MATCH SCHEDULE
Series One
CommBank Matildas 3 v Slovenia 0
Date: Thursday, 26 June 2025
CommBank Matildas v Slovenia
Date: Sunday, 29 June 2025
Kick-off: 6.00pm WST / 8.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
Series Two
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025
Kick-off: 2.30pm WST / 4.30pm AEST
Venue: Hands Oval, Bunbury
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Kick-off: 6.00pm WST / 8.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets