CommBank Matildas forward Hayley Raso expressed that being able to inspire the nation was a motivating factor for the group ahead of February’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™.
She was speaking to the media ahead of her potential 100th appearance for the national side as the team prepares to take on Wales and England.
The 31-year-old said that preparing for the home Asian Cup was very exciting.
“We saw what happened after the World Cup [in 2023], and how Australia took to us, and the crowds we got, and all of those things after having the World Cup in Australia,” she said.
“We’re hoping to replicate that a little bit. We want to make sure that we're inspiring Australia, bringing in people, getting all of the fans behind us, and we know that that will take us far in the tournament.
“To think we've got another big tournament like that in Australia, it's very exciting, and one we're preparing well for.”
Raso is currently sitting on 99 appearances for the CommBank Matildas, meaning that if she takes the field against Wales, she is in line for a major milestone.
“I’m actually really, really excited,” she revealed.
“I've been in this team for such a long time, so I feel like there's been a bit of a roller coaster of emotions, with ups and downs. I’ve been in a lot of tournaments, come back from injuries.
“When I think about it like that, it's just really special to have played for this team for so long and to reach such an important milestone.
“We're a group who have been together for such a long time. It's like a family. I think that representing Australia is the biggest honour in the world. So to be able to do that 100 times, it's pretty special.”
The milestone is made extra significant by the adversity that Raso faced to reach it. In August 2018, she suspected her career may be over when she fractured three vertebrae in her back after a collision during a club game for the Portland Thorns.
“I remember, during that injury and during my rehab, questioning whether I would be able to play again, if I would come back again,” she recalled.
“I had a lot of fear around that, so it was a really tough time for me. But I think it definitely made me a lot stronger. I've come out the other side of that, and I've continued to play at this top level for a long time.
“I've ended up here, sitting here talking to you about my 100th game, which I didn't think in that moment I would ever reach. So it's very special, and I'm really looking forward to getting out there on Saturday.”
In her career, particularly in the WSL for Everton, Manchester City and Tottenham, Raso has played with and against many of those in the England and Wales sides.
She said that the focus for Australia would be internal as they continue to build towards next year.
“We've been here a couple of days now. We've had a lot of meetings. We're getting everything across and making sure that everything's very clear, so we know the goal and what we're trying to do when we get to the Asian Cup,” she said.
“Joe [Montemurro] has come in, and he's implementing his game plan and the way he wants us to play and what he wants us to do. So we're all focusing on that in training.
“We want to win [against Wales]. It’s obviously also a bit of a celebration for [retiring Welsh legend] Jess Fishlock, so I think it will be a really fun.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH DETAILS
Wales v CommBank Matildas
Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025 / Sunday, 26 October 2025
Kick-off: 2:00pm BST (Local) / 12:00am AEDT
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Broadcast: Paramount+
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England v CommBank Matildas
Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025 / Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Kick-off: 7:00pm BST (Local) / 6:00am AEDT
Venue: Pride Park Stadium, Derby, England
Broadcast: Paramount+
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