Chloe Lincoln expressed that she was “over the moon” at receiving her first CommBank Matildas call-up for the October window.
The young goalkeeper will be a part of the squad that will travel to take on Switzerland and Germany later this month.
“I don’t know if I can [sum the feeling up] to be honest, just feeling over the moon,” she said.
“Excited, nervous, all these sorts of emotions come to mind when trying to describe it. I can’t wait to get in there.”
The 19-year-old joined Western United from Canberra United in the off-season and was travelling to a pre-season friendly with teammates Catherine Zimmerman, Grace Maher and capped Matilda Karly Roestbakken when she heard the news.
“I was like – oh my god, and totally freaked out,” she laughed.
“I was a bit teary, even speaking to Mum and Dad on the phone. It was pretty emotional.
“This is what you dream of for so long. This is the pinnacle for everyone. This is where we want to be. I couldn’t believe it.
“I felt pretty lucky, surrounded by some good people… it’s a pretty crazy moment to be honest.”
Lincoln has been a star of the CommBank Young Matildas over the past two cycles, featuring as first-choice goalkeeper in both the 2022 and 2024 editions of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
She said that she will fall back on those experiences for what is to come.
“I don’t know if anything prepares you for that senior environment – you’re not going to know what you’ll fall back on when you’re there,” she said.
“But I’ve been very lucky to get some of that exposure to what a camp is like, or what it’s like versing different football styles depending on the opponent. Those things you can call on, which is great.
“Hopefully all of that experience will help me, whether it’s been the national teams or the A-League Women.”
As a goalkeeper, Lincoln will be working alongside the likes of Mackenzie Arnold for the first time. She said that being in the same echelon of those she has looked up to her entire life was “surreal.”
“I looked up to those girls since I was little and first starting out with goalkeeping, especially Lyds [Lydia Williams], and more recently Mackenzie Arnold,” she said.
“I can’t fit into words how excited I am to go in there and just learn as much as I can from the experience that they have. The way they train, the way they are off the pitch. It feels kind of surreal that I’ll be there with them.”
The most important thing for the youngster will be soaking up the experience and making the most of it for the challenges ahead.
“It’ll be amazing to see the behind-the-scenes of all that preparation, and what match days look like,” she said.
“I’m hoping to learn as much as possible, enjoy the experience and embrace it.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | OCTOBER 2024 INTERNATIONALS
Switzerland v CommBank Matildas
Date: Friday, 25 October 2024 (local) / Saturday, 26 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 8.00pm CET (local) / 5.00am (AEDT)
Venue: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: Ticketmaster (Switzerland)
Germany v CommBank Matildas
Date: Monday, 28 October 2024 (local) / Tuesday, 29 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 6.10pm CET (local) / 4.10am (AEDT)
Venue: Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: DFB Ticket Portal