Matildas' Katrina Gorry Emphasizes Focus Over Festivities After Asian Cup Quarterfinal Triumph
Despite securing a crucial 2-1 quarterfinal victory over North Korea in the Women's Asian Cup and clinching qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 in Brazil, the CommBank Matildas are not pausing for celebrations. Midfielder Katrina Gorry has made it clear that the team's attention is firmly fixed on their upcoming semifinal clash in Perth.
Immediate Shift to Semifinal Preparation
Following Friday night's win at HBF Park, which saw goals from Alanna Kennedy and Perth's own Sam Kerr in front of 16,466 fans, the Matildas wasted no time in refocusing. Gorry revealed that celebrations were kept minimal, with the squad prioritizing recovery and preparation for Tuesday's semifinal against China at Optus Stadium.
"Not many of us had much sleep, we're absolutely buzzing. It was an incredible game, probably not our best performance, but we stuck in there," Gorry said. "There are a few tired bodies. We just want to stay in the moment, enjoy the fact that we've qualified and we're through to a semifinal on home soil. It's a special moment for all of us, but we've got to rest, recover and get ready for Tuesday night."
Call to Action for Local Fans
Gorry highlighted the significant impact of the home crowd during the quarterfinal, describing the atmosphere as "insane" and crediting it with helping push the team to victory. She issued a passionate appeal to fans, urging them to fill Optus Stadium for the semifinal to provide another boost.
"It was huge for us. Having a home tournament, it always comes into play, and Friday night, it was absolutely incredible," she emphasized. "The atmosphere was insane. Sam scoring a goal, you could feel every moment of it. It's definitely an advantage, and hopefully all the fans show up on Tuesday night to support us again and make us get over the line."
Injury Boost and Team Spirit
In positive news for the Matildas, Gorry reported that vice-captain Steph Catley and World Cup hero Hayley Raso are recovering well from concussions sustained in group stage matches and could be available for the semifinal. "It's nice that we got to rest them, and we're through to the semifinal, having them fresh. They're out on the field again today, and they're looking good," she noted.
Reflecting on the team's resilience, Gorry pointed to their "Aussie DNA" and never-say-die attitude, which proved vital in the quarterfinal. "It shows the true Aussie spirit. We've always had that never-say-die attitude, and we knew that this tournament was going to be like that," she said. "There's some great opponents, and your backs are going to be against the wall."
The Matildas underwent a recovery session at the West Coast Eagles' Lathlain headquarters on Saturday and will return to full training on Sunday, underscoring their commitment to securing a spot in Saturday's final in Sydney.
