By Kieran Yap 13/3/24
Although she only turned 20 last month, Young Matildas striker Kahli Johnson seems like a veteran. She has played at two A-League Women clubs, competed in a Grand Final, scored some stunning goals, and is on her way to a second Youth World Cup with Australia.
The Western United attacker was a consistent, often spectacular goal scorer throughout qualifying, and recovered from an arm injury just in time to take part in the Asian Cup. Australia navigated the group stage with a perfect record, but Johnson says that the development of other teams has been a highlight of her experience in this tournament.
“It’s been cool to see how much the women’s game has developed in Asia and see that the competition is definitely getting harder across the board,”, she said through Football Australia.
“It also makes you want to get better and show what you’ve been working on in our own space.”
Australia’s last Under 20 cycle was cut short by COVID. This time around, The Young Matildas have had a full preparation. They have shown themselves the be adaptable to every type of weather condition, and tactically flexible to beat opponents from all over the federation.
Johnson was selected to play in the 2022 U20 Women’s World Cup. It was a tournament that took almost everybody by surprise after Australia was admitted by default at North Korea’s expense. Johnson says that being able to play a full cycle of U20 games has benefitted the side.
“In this cycle we’ve been together for the past 18 months.
“It’s been a real development, getting to know the girls, learning to play with each other.”
“We’ve had a lot of camps together and it’s really cool to see it come full circle now.
“Being able to qualify for the World Cup has been an amazing thing for us, a great achievement and I can’t wait to do the full two- year cycle.”
Young Matildas coach Leah Blayney has been able to pick a squad where almost every member features regularly in the A-League Women. It is a rarity at this level of international football, and an advantage for Australia that they have made the most of.
“Playing in that kind of environment has been really helpful for a lot of the girls coming into this tournament,” says Johnson.
“They can bring in their different playing styles and really use that professional level from the ALW to then transfer into an Asian Cup space.”
At Western United, Johnson is a game breaker and a difference maker, but is one of the youngest in a squad built around experienced footballers. With the Young Matildas, she is enjoying the opportunity to be one of the senior players in a still very young group.
“When you’re in a youth team, experience can be hard to come by,’ she said.
“Being a younger player coming into my professional career, it’s not very often that I get to be the oldest in a team.
“It’s probably one of the first times ever.”
“It is kind of cool, I feel like a bit more of a leader, being able to help those coming through that haven’t really experienced this before. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
They have already secured qualification for the World Cup, but the celebrations will be put aside when they play the semi-final against Japan tonight. In the press conference, Leah Blayney signalled that Australia is excited to play the regional powerhouse and will not be taking them lightly.
“Team Australia is really looking forward to the opportunity to face Japan tomorrow,” said Blayney in the pre-match media conference.
“To play in an Asian cup semi final and represent our country is something that is an honour and we relish the opportunity.”
The Young Matildas coach said that they have researched tonights opponent as they do any team, and are aware of their strengths as well as Australia’s.
“Obviously Japan are quite tactically flexible and we’ve seen them take different approaches to different matches.
“That’s why they’re silver medallists at the previous (U20) World Cup, that’s why they’re Asian Champions.
“In terms of our versality as a squad and our playing style, we’re proud of how we’ve evolved over the last couple of years.
“It’s something we take pride in, and it’s a huge occasion for us to come out and show our performances and be at times, just as tactically flexible.”
Johnson echoed these sentiments, and also believes that the spirit that the team has built could see them through this latest challenge.
“Japan is a really good opponent,” she said
“They’ve done really well in the past in Asian Cups and World Cups.
“That just gives us a bit more fight and fire to show how good of a team we really are, and to prove to people how far and what we can do.’
Australia play Japan at 10pm AEDT and can be viewed on 10Play.
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