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Matildas vice-captain Steph Catley believes this year\u2019s Women\u2019s World Cup revealed Australia\u2019s best-kept secret; that, deep down, it truly is a football country.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like even Australians probably would have admitted they\u2019re not a footballing country, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s something that\u2019s just said about Australia. Until now,\u201d said Catley over Zoom from London on the eve of the Women\u2019s Super League 2023-24 season, where she will again play for Arsenal.<\/p>\n
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Steph Catley celebrates scoring a goal at the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Nine<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cAfter the World Cup, what I saw [shows] it\u2019s been there all along, I think it just needed this little tip over the edge. To sort of let it explode.\u201d<\/p>\n With many Matildas playing in powerhouse teams across Europe \u2013 including Caitlin Foord and recent signing Kyra Cooney-Cross alongside her at Arsenal \u2013 multiple Aussies nominated for the Ball d\u2019Or and Ange Postecoglou the manager of Tottenham in the Premier League, Catley says \u201cgood things are happening in Australian football, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n The world is paying attention to the nation\u2019s talent, and Catley is hoping increased attention generated for women\u2019s football in Australia by the World Cup will translate to more eyes on the Women\u2019s Super League and the careers of herself and the other Matildas playing in the English comp.<\/p>\n To her, that\u2019s an important part of maintaining the sport\u2019s momentum, along with Matildas\u2019 matches and big tournaments.<\/p>\n The Matildas have already had to move one of their three Olympic Asian qualifier matches in Perth next month from HBF Park to the much larger Optus Stadium, which seats 60,000 people because of demand for tickets.<\/p>\n Catley said it was obvious after the excitement of the World Cup died down that a new army of fans had been drawn to women\u2019s football.<\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as the World Cup was over, I remember just seeing messages and tweets and everything saying, \u2018Well, how can I watch you guys?\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, the times [of WSL games in England] aren\u2019t great for Australians. I know that firsthand from watching overseas football growing up. But, you know, they [Optus Sport] are doing as much as they can to sort of keep the Matildas alive and to keep Australians interested in women\u2019s football.\u201d<\/p>\n Australian teammates Caitlin Foord and Catley celebrate winning the FA Women\u2019s League Cup with Arsenal in March.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n In the London derby in early December, Catley, Foord, Cooney-Cross and their Gunners teammates will face Australian captain Sam Kerr when they come up against Chelsea.<\/p>\n And there\u2019s no secret about Kerr\u2019s star quality. Especially to Catley, who has seen it up close, both as a teammate and opponent.<\/p>\n In Matildas colours it\u2019s a blessing, but in May last year, Kerr famously scored two incredible volleys to help Chelsea comeback from 2-1 down at half-time against Manchester United to win their third consecutive WSL title and deny Arsenal the trophy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen she (Kerr) is playing for Chelsea, I want her to do well. And when she does something amazing, I\u2019m the first person to be cheering, yes,\u201d Catley said.<\/p>\n Catley and Sam Kerr share a laugh at the Women\u2019s World Cup.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Reuters<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cBut then, obviously, you flip it around, and she\u2019s literally taken titles out of my hands, and we\u2019ve been on the cusp of winning the league, and she\u2019s gone and scored … [ridiculous goals] on the last day and just snatched it from us, so it\u2019s like a really fine line.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want each other to do well, but just not against each other.\u201d<\/p>\n The Women\u2019s Super League to kick-offs on October 1 with champions Chelsea up against London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal set to face Liverpool the following day at Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n Matildas star Mary Fowler will also be in action for Manchester City up against Australian goalkeeper World Cup hero Mackenzie Arnold\u2019s West Ham United.<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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