Amy Sayer is a name becoming synonymous with the next era of the CommBank Matildas.
Now 24-years-old, the attacking midfielder competed in her first major national team tournament at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ - scoring against IR Iran – and then won the tournament MVP at the FIFA Series 2026™ in Kenya.
However, as she enters the “middle years” of her career, she said that she is still playing “nowhere near” her potential.
She reflected this week on the massive learning curve of 2026 so far, and the challenges she is looking forward to that lie ahead.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™
Over recent years, Sayer fell agonisingly short of competing at major tournaments for the CommBank Matildas. She was part of the provisional 29-player squad at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, but did not make the final 23. Later, she seemed destined to participate at Paris 2024™, before an ACL injury saw that dream come to an end.
Through it all, she kept her head down, worked hard, and established herself as a key part of the team at the Asian Cup this year.
“The experience, as a whole, was a huge learning curve,” she said.
“Seeing that environment from the outside, you don't really understand the trials and tribulations of tournament football. Even having experience in Youth Asian Cups, it's not the same as the amount of travel that we had and the competitiveness of the games and the teams.
“Personally, I thought it was a great experience. It was great to have my first official major tournament under my belt. There were lots of learning opportunities for myself, playing a lot of different positions and in a lot of different parts and times in the game.”
She had the opportunity to start and score her first goal at a major tournament against IR Iran. The goal was scored at a crucial time when the team needed confidence in front of the goals.
“The opening goal against Iran was pretty special for me,” she said,
“I don't think of myself so much as a goal scorer - but with the stats that I'm putting up lately, it still catches me by surprise!
“We weren’t extremely happy with the result against the Philippines [1-0 win]. We could have done better. Against Iran, it was nice to open the scoring. I heard feedback from the coaches that it kind of broke the spell and helped us settle into the tournament more.
“You can see from the amount of goals that we scored afterwards that it was a much-needed game and a much-needed result.”
The fact that the team made it through to the final showed their Never Say Die spirit.
“The wins against DPR Korea and China showed the character and the grit and the determination of not only our team, but the name in the badge that we wear, the name of the Matildas,” she said.
The game against China was a special one for Sayer, who has Chinese heritage on her mother’s side.
“What was most special for me playing against China was seeing the people that are part of my community showing out for the Chinese team,” she said.
“The Chinese community is one of the biggest in Australia, and it is very special to me. So being able to see that in a footballing environment was really nice.
“Australia is probably leading the way in the fan base and the community support for the Matildas and women's football in general. It wasn't just us, it was other teams, too. You had all these different communities coming out to support their teams. Even when the Matildas weren't playing, the stadiums were getting filled. That's just a great indicator of women's football, and how it keeps rising and growing.”
Club football with Malmö FF
Sayer plies her trade at Malmö FF, one of the biggest clubs in the Damallsvenskan in Sweden. She is very familiar with Sweden, having played previously at Kristianstads DFF.
She said that she has enjoyed her time at the club so far.
“The adjustment to the team and the environment here has been made very easy by the staff who recruited me and brought me here, and the environment is just amazing,” she said.
“The competitiveness is next level. The girls have been lovely and have really welcomed me into the team, and the coaching staff as well. Everything is so professional, and it's really nice to be here.”
That welcome has been reflected in her form. Sayer has scored two goals in three games as her side is currently second on the Damallsvenkan table.
The team will play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League this year.
“One of the biggest motivators for joining Malmö was the fact that we would compete in the Champions League this season,” she said.
“To play in the Champions League is something that we always think about as kids when we're learning about football and learning about the leagues in the world. So to be able to have the chance to compete on the world stage is really exciting.
“With the ambitions that Malmö have, we're going to put out a really great show on this world stage.”
FIFA Series Kenya 2026™
Sayer capped off an exciting few months by scoring and being named the tournament MVP at the FIFA Series 2026™.
The team defeated Malawi and Kenya on their way to lifting the trophy.
“We barely had time to blink after the Asian Cup,” she explained.
“Everyone was excited to come together again and experience a new country, a new continent, and to just come back and be in the Matildas environment. We could each further our own individual goals and ambitions within the team, have opportunities to perform in different ways, and get more familiarity with the coaching staff.”
Lifting the trophy was a massive boon for the team after narrowly missing out in March.
“They were two good but very tough wins against Malawi and Kenya, but I think to finally be able to be the ones to stand on the dais and hear the fireworks go off and to have the confetti raining down on us instead of sitting off to the side – it’s something that can't be overstated,” she said.
“It was a surprise to win tournament MVP. I do feel now, with this move to Malmö, and with more consistency in the national team, I'm slowly coming into my own as a footballer. Post-ACL injury, there's a lot of different areas I feel like I’ve grown in, on and off the field.
“But I think there's so much more room for improvement. I want to keep growing and improving, and I think that there's so much more that I can do. I'm barely anywhere near my potential, and I really want to reach that. That’s my goal.”
What’s next for Sayer, then, for the rest of 2026?
“We're only just at the beginning of our season in Sweden. So with Malmö, I'm aiming to win the league,” she said.
“We will be playing Champions League right in the middle of our league season. That’s exciting too. Hopefully, we can make it through the qualification stages and reach the group stages of Champions League, and be able to compete against bigger and more challenging teams.
“With the national team, I hope to get a bit more consistency and minutes, and keep reporting into camp – if I’m lucky enough to keep getting the call up.
“Off the field, I’m going to enjoy life in Malmö, continue to explore, and build relationships with my wonderful teammates.”