By Emma Burke 16/5/25
Above: Bryleeh Henry (right) after scoring against Chinese Taipei. Photo: Football Australia
Matildas coach Tom Sermanni was full of praise for the in-form Leah Davidson and Bryleeh Henry at the Matildas squad announcement
“The call up was definitely bittersweet,” said midfielder Leah Davidson when asked about her weekend.
The Matilda alongside her also Melbourne City club teammate Bryleeh Henry had both received the email calling them into the upcoming National Team camp after their 1-0 loss in the A-League Women semi-final against Central Coast Mariners.
“We’re really proud of what we did on the weekend as a club, we kept them out for 100 minutes with ten men,” she said.
Both Davidson and Henry have now been called up to the Matildas for the third time.
“Each time you go in you get used to what the environment is like, the first time you’re a bit starstruck,” said Henry before explaining that with each call up, “you can focus more on playing and training and doing what you can best.”
Matildas Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni only had praise for the two young players when prompted on their selection.
“Leah’s been in the last few camps and has performed very well in those camps so she deserves to keep her spot… [she’s] really held her own in amongst our midfield players,” Sermanni said of Davidson.
When speaking on Henry, Sermanni lauded her ability to play all across the pitch, as she’s able to play as a striker, a defender, and out wide on the wing.
“She’s a versatile player and got the international characteristics that she’s athletically very good, she’s quick, and has the ability to play in numerous positions,” he said.
Now the pair are looking ahead to not just their next appearances as Matildas, but their Asian Women’s Champions League semi-final game.
Melbourne City will travel to Wuhan and enter a centralised hub for the finals of the competition. They face South Korean side Incheon Red Angels in the semi-final on Wednesday May 21 at 10pm AEST, and should they progress, will meet either Wuhan Jiangda or Ho Chi Minh City I in the final.
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootballTikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 
What really impressed me about Henry in the GF semi loss was how she played at a high level for the full 90. She has an incredible motor and her heart is huge.
LikeLike