Defender Tori Tumeth reflected that she was "ecstatic" after becoming CommBank Matilda #244 when she was substituted on against Germany in Karlsruhe on Saturday morning (AEDT).
The 25-year-old was rewarded for fantastic form for the Vancouver Rise with a call-up to her first senior international camp and impressed Head Coach Joe Montemurro enough to earn a debut against the World No.3.
"Honestly, I'm stoked," she said post-match.
"The girls are just quality players, and to be in this environment, you need to be your best in every moment. We're playing against the best teams in the world. I'm honestly just ecstatic and taking in every single moment.
"If you told me 12 months ago that I'd be here making my debut, I don't think I'd have believed you. It's every kid's dream. It was definitely one of the biggest goals I've had ever since I started playing football. It'll take a while to soak in, but I'm stoked."
She recalled the moment she found out she had been selected in the 26-player squad, and then when she learned that she would be making her debut on the pitch.
"I found out in the middle of the night, Vancouver time - and from that moment, I knew when I came in, I just wanted to learn as much as I could and just enjoy the moment," she said.
"I started warming up, and then was told by Pep to just go out and enjoy myself. I definitely did. I'm absolutely ecstatic."
Debuting against a team of the quality of Germany, in front of a packed out BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe, only added to the occasion.
"These players are playing at the best clubs in the world," she said.
"If anything, it just makes me want more. Being at training and competing against Sam [Kerr] and these players who are so talented, you have to be at your best all the time. It's honestly just a growing moment for me, and I just want more.
"Even there, not getting a result - I'm a winner. I want to win. I want to be better every day. I want to be more comfortable and express myself even more. This is definitely just the first step, and it just makes me want even more."
Tumeth made her first overseas club move this year after spending time in the A-League Women's at Melbourne City and Sydney FC. She now plies her trade in Canada for the Vancouver Rise.
"I'm proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone," she said.
"I took the step to go and start playing overseas, moved to a new environment, challenged myself there. I really committed to it, and I'm really enjoying my football in clubland. I'm just really proud of myself for making that step, and I've reaped the rewards of getting my first cap."
She said the team will take their lessons from the match into the second game of the window.
"Pep [Joe Montemurro] explained a lot about how some of the mistakes we made, were what led to [Germany] goals" she said.
"So it's just going back, sticking to our principles, sticking to our style of play and being confident on the ball. There's definitely some learning that we will take from tonight to go into Haiti."
Next Game
Haiti v CommBank Matildas
Date: Tuesday, 13 October 2026 / Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Kick-off: 9.00pm CEST (Local) / 6.00am AEDT
Venue: Stade Walter-Luzi, Chambly, France
Broadcast: Paramount+
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