By Alice de Koster-Kitto 27/10/2025
Above: Steph Catley scores for Australia. Photo: Football Australia.
Steph Catley spoke to the media following a 2-1 win against Cymru in Cardiff this past weekend, reflecting on her takeaways from the victory and her hopes for the Matildas’ upcoming clash against England this Wednesday.
Catley was absent from the match against the Welsh side, having come into camp late, just a few days prior to the meeting; however, the defender had a lot to say about her squad’s performance and what it means going into the remainder of this international window, and ultimately the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
“We’re capable of playing some really, really great football. And I think Joe (Montemurro) really believes in those sorts of foundations, in the style of possession-based football.”
The primary aim for the Matildas this internation window will be to build upon already established tactics and relationships, under the fresh guise of head coach Joe Montemurro, who took on the position earlier this year, and has already brought an innovative style of play to the squad in his short time with them.
“The main thing for us is trying to build an identity again in the way that we play. And I think, you know, we’ve got players that are playing in some of the best leagues and some of the best teams around the world and in Europe.”
While they’re looking at each of these games for what they are, as individual opportunities to grow as a team, the upcoming Asian Cup is always at the back of mind.
“To win a major trophy with this team would mean absolutely everything to me. and I know the girls feel exactly the same way.”
With just three friendly matches to go ahead of an incredibly high-stakes tournament, pressure is at an all-time high for the Matildas, as the Asian Cup serves as not only a major home tournament, but as qualifiers for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
“We’ve got a short amount of time, but we’re working really, really hard to do it.”
Success in these upcoming matches feels more in reach than ever for Catley after taking home the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Arsenal earlier in the year. The history-making victory gave the Matildas captain a new sense of belief and motivation to bring home that kind of success for her country, saying the taste of victory “wakes something up, a new, a little extra drive to want to win things, because you know it’s possible, you know, how it feels.”
“I think it just gives you a sense that anything’s possible in football.”
Despite playing most of her Matilda’s career at left-back, Catley recently received A Ballon d’Or nomination for her performance at centre back at Arsenal, and while she believes that consistency in positioning may be of benefit in the lead up to the Asian Cup, it is moree so a credit to the diversity in her own game, as well as the squad.
“I think for a coach, especially like Joe, if he has players that can play multiple positions, leading into a tournament,” says Catley. “If you get an injury or something happens to a player that’s supposed to play a certain position, being able to play multiple times is really handy in that situation” she added.
Her time at Arsenal has not only developed her tactically, but has provided the unique opportunity to get to know many of her England opponents, playing with and against them regularly in The Women’s Super League each week.
“I think there’s always an advantage in knowing the players that you’re going to play against.”
The last time the Matildas took on the Lionesses was in a devastating World Cup semi-final, in which Australia took a 3-1 loss to their opponents. Since then, England have gone on to win their second consecutive UEFA Women’s Euros titles, and the intensity of this clash is not lost on Catley.
“That was probably one of the most heartbreaking games I’ve played in my career. So, yeah, there’s definitely wounds there and you do remember those moments, but like I said, it’s a fresh new project and a new challenge for us.”
“It’s almost like a sibling rivalry in a way, I think it becomes really, really competitive, especially because we probably know each other so well.”
While having such familiarity with a vast majority of the England squad has better prepared the Matildas for this match, in comparison to their last meeting, Catley is aware that “It also gives them the same sort of upper hand because they know us really, really well.”
“We’re in a completely different stage now with our team, different coach, different players, different tournaments. But, I think you can’t help but remember past games when you come up against the same opposition.”
The Lionesses’ attacking front line will be a main point of contention for the Matildas, especially for Catley, as she looks to build up a defense that could often be described as lacking depth.
“It’s something that we’ve always talked about as a squad, as being probably one of our weaknesses going into a major tournament, is that maybe we haven’t got the depth that we’ve wanted.”
Despite this weakness, it is the innate awareness of it that is helping build the squad to the place it needs to be in order for Australia’s defense to hold their own over a threat as heavy as England.
With a number of defenders having such a versatile style of play, including players such as Alanna Kennedy being able to play further forward, or Courtney Nevin, who recently scored while remaining strong at the back, Catley is confident that the depth is far into development, and the combinations needed to hold their own are there.
“It’s just about bringing them in together and sort of seeing that happening in a fluid way, that benefits each other on the field and brings the best out of you.”
“I’ve represented this team and my country for many, many years, and it’s always been the most important thing to me in a way, it means so much every time I put the shirt on.”
Above all, representing Australia is the most important thing to Catley. The gravity of the opportunity has not been lost on the defender, and has shined through especially during her time as captain over the past two years.
“I try to bring who I am off the pitch, on the pitch,” says Catley, “Whether I’ve got the armband on or not, I’ll continue to do the same thing.”
The Matildas will take on England Lionesses on Wednesday, 29th October at 6 am AEDT, with the match to be streamed on Paramount+.
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