Matildas stars set to chase Asian and European Champions League glory

Daily Mail​

23-05-2025

Arguably the biggest day in Australian women's football since the Women's World Cup isn't in Australia at all. Instead, it will take place overnight, over in Lisbon and Wuhan.
On Saturday night [10pm AEST], Holly McNamara headlines six current and former Matildas chasing Women's Asian Champions League glory with Melbourne City.
Four hours later, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross and their Arsenal teammates face Barcelona in the European Women's Champions League final.
That trio hope to emulate Matildas teammate Ellie Carpenter, a two-time champion, in reaching the pinnacle of European club football.
'Obviously there's been other Aussies that have made it this far and that have done amazing things at Champions League level,' Catley said.
'Now, we've put ourselves in such an incredible position. A one-off final. Anything can happen, two amazing teams going at it.
'It's the best thing about Champions League football. And there's no place I'd rather be.
'Obviously, for Australians that follow Arsenal and that follow us, it's a massive occasion.'
In China, current Matildas McNamara, Bryleeh Henry and Leah Davidson - plus Laura Hughes, Karly Roestbakken and former captain Melissa Barbieri - are seeking their own slice of history.
Melbourne City's game against Wuhan Jiangda is the final of the first full Women's Asian Champions League tournament, with a $2 million prize packet on offer.
'It's so exciting, for it to be the first structured Asian Women's Champions League,' McNamara told AAP.
'To get all the way to the final as an Australian team is a really good credit to us, and it's something that we've been working towards as soon as we found out about the competition.
'Obviously playing for your country is such a huge milestone, so those games were pretty big in my career. But in terms of club, this is the biggest game by far.'
The cut-throat games are crucial preparation for Matildas players seeking glory in next year's Asian Cup.
'It's invaluable, really, I think, especially for someone like Kyra,' Catley said.
'She's played obviously at the World Cup, in those big moments on home soil, but this is a different kind of pressure.
'It's good for her to have those experiences and learn as much as she can from the moment and the people around her, and take all those lessons back to the national team.'
Catley, 31, considers her final one of the proudest moments of her career.
'There is something special about Australians doing well on the world stage, and I think in particular in European football,' she said.
'Because anyone that knows world football knows how hard it is to be successful over here, especially in the Champions League, and in European competitions in general.
'Playing in a Champions League final is, along with probably a World Cup final, as high as you can get.'
She believes it can also inspire young Australian footballers.