Defender Steph Catley believes her recent UEFA Women’s Champions League title win with Arsenal can serve as a powerful motivator as she sets her sights on continental success with Australia at next year’s Women’s Asian Cup.
Catley, along with fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross, played a key role in Arsenal’s victory over Barcelona in Lisbon last Sunday. The trio then quickly returned to Melbourne to help Australia to a 2-0 win over Argentina on Friday — the first of a two-match series as part of the team’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Cup, which will be hosted on home soil.
Reflecting on her European success, Catley said it had deepened her hunger to achieve similar results with the national team.
“It just gives you a little taste of what’s possible,” she said. “To actually win something like that makes you reflect on your career and the goals you still want to accomplish. Winning a major trophy with the Matildas has always been at the top of that list.
“Now that I’ve experienced that feeling, I’m more driven than ever. Winning the Asian Cup would mean the world to me.”
Australia last claimed the Women’s Asian Cup title in 2010, defeating North Korea in the final. Since then, they’ve finished runners-up twice — in 2014 and 2018 — and suffered a quarter-final exit in 2022.
The Matildas enjoyed a memorable run to the semi-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on home soil but struggled at the Tokyo Olympics, failing to progress beyond the group stage. The Olympic disappointment led to the departure of coach Tony Gustavsson, with Tom Sermanni currently serving as interim head coach.
Despite recent setbacks, Catley remains optimistic about the Matildas’ direction, especially with emerging talent boosting the squad’s depth.
“Maybe we haven’t had the most successful run in recent years, but we still believe something special is within reach,” she said.
“You see a player like Charli Grant step in tonight and play like she’s been here for years — we’re still uncovering new talent like that.
“Going into a major tournament, that depth and internal competition are absolutely crucial.”
