CommBank Matildas forward Hayley Raso said that it was “extra special” to play – and score – in front of family and friends in her home town of the Gold Coast.
She was speaking post-match after the CommBank Matildas were defeated 2-1 by Brazil on Sunday evening.
“It feels very special to be out here in front of my family, in front of my friends,” she said.
“To score the goal, that made it extra special. It was obviously a tough night, not getting the result we wanted, but all in all a special night.”
Raso was at the centre of a very physical battle with Brazil’s defence.
“Both games were really physical,” she said.
“They’re a rough opponent. It got a little feisty out there. At the end we’re players that will give it back a little bit too, so that showed out there.
“But at the end of the game, [we are] all friends, all fun.”
The game marked the 16th consecutive sell-out for CommBank Matildas games on home soil.
To play in front of over 25,000 fans in her home town was something that Raso could barely dream of as a youngster.
“Especially since the World Cup, we’ve seen the fans coming out in numbers, selling out stadiums since then, it’s incredible,” she said.
“To be here playing in my hometown in front of the packed out stadium, and just continually doing that, it’s very special and amazing.”
The Gold Coast will also be a venue for the AFC Asian Cup 2026, that will be held in Australia.
“You see young girls and boys wearing your jerseys, looking up to you, and this is what we dreamed of. This is what we always wanted,” Raso said.
“I hope to inspire them to be able to come back here again.
“To play in a major tournament in my hometown will be amazing, and I just hope to continue inspiring that younger generation.”
CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2024
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
CommBank Matildas v Chinese Taipei
Date: Saturday, 7 December 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets