Impetus’ Ben Gilby heard from Australia’s Arsenal defender Steph Catley as she looked ahead to the Matildas’ two games with Canada during the international window (31/8/22).
Above: Steph Catley speaks today from Australia’s Queensland training base. Image: Football Australia.
The final members of the Matildas squad arrived this morning as the full 23-player roster assembled for the first time in Brisbane.
Vice-captain Steph Catley was part of the latest cohort to arrive ahead of the opening match against Canada this Saturday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting game,” Catley said. “Canada have a ton of really, really talented players and a really good squad and they are obviously coming off the back of their Olympic win.
“To play on home soil and to get a really big crowd, I know the girls are really excited to get going.”
Australia’s return to Brisbane to play for the first time in a number of years is something that the Arsenal star believes adds extra focus to the team: “We haven’t played here for a long time and we’ve got a number of girls from Brissie and all their families and friends will be at the game. To be playing a team like Canada here – there’s not much more you can ask for.”
Catley emphasised the particular challenges that the Olympic champions will pose. “They are dynamic, they are very pacey. There’s a lot of technical talent as a lot of their players are playing in the best leagues in the world. That showed at the Olympics, they were class through the whole tournament.
“It’s a great challenge. If we can come out and take it to them in this stage in our preparations (for the World Cup), then it holds us in good stead. It will be a great game.”
impetusfootball.org 