Cooney-Cross talks CommBank Matildas' milestones and the future ahead

Midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross discusses her recent debut for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas and looks ahead to the upcoming season with Melbourne Victory in the W-League. 

After a dream offseason debuting for the national team and becoming an Olympian, teenager Kyra Cooney-Cross is excited to pull back on a navy shirt and defend Victory's 2020/21 W-League Championship title. 

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The recent W-League season saw Kyra notch five goals, with perhaps her most memorable coming in the W-League Grand Final, where she scored a Championship-winning Olimpico in the 120th minute. She claimed the NAB Young Footballer of the Year, with coach Jeff Hopkins saying he believes she is one of the best talents in Australian football.

Cooney-Cross is eager to get back to playing with the team, after time away with the national team building her confidence against the best in the world.

"I’m really excited to return to Melbourne Victory because we have a really good team environment," she said.

"This season will be tough but I think we’re capable of winning the league again and I can’t wait to be back at home." 

Melbourne Victory winning the 2020/21 W-League Championship
Kyra Cooney-Cross lifting the 2020/21 W-League Championship trophy

Her blistering form for the Victory saw Tony Gustavsson call-up Kyra, for their friendly matches against Denmark and Sweden.

After making her on-field debut in June against Denmark, she made her starting debut just days later in a 0-0 draw against Sweden. 

"It was an amazing feeling, it’s always been a goal of mine to play for the Matildas," Cooney-Cross explained.

"When I found out I was coming on at half-time I was feeling really excited and nervous.

"Before coming on Tony and the girls were being supportive and comforting. I really just wanted to enjoy the moment and take it all in," she continued.

"I wanted to try to get a few touches on the ball early so that I was comfortable on the ball and I could be myself."  

Kyra Cooney-Cross


Kyra’s versatility on the ball and creative flair impressed Gustavsson and his coaching staff, rewarding Cooney-Cross with a spot on the Tokyo 2020 team and a chance to play at her first Olympic Games. 

Her much anticipated Olympic Games debut would come in Australia's opening game, a 2-1 win over Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, coming on in the 75th minute, alongside another teenage debutant, Mary Fowler. 

"I had an amazing experience, just being part of the Olympic Games on a whole is something I’ll never forget," she said. 

"Being able to go to Tokyo and experience being around professional athletes every day has helped me grow as a player by learning from them, listening to their feedback and watching what they do." 

 

After being part of the team that beat Team GB in a historic win, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas would go on to claim their best result at an Olympic Games ever, fourth place. 

"There was a lot of belief within the team during the tournament," Kooney-Cross said of the history-making result. 

"When the girls beat Great Britain to get into the Semi-Finals and make history, it was the greatest moment so far. We realised that this is a special team, we’re capable of anything and we believe we can beat anyone." 

With a new season in the W-League on the horizon, the midfielder is eager to see what the future holds in her playing career, with her sights set on the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™️ on home soil. 

"I think this team is more prepared than ever leading into the World Cup, I hope I can be a part of it and I can’t wait to see what this team achieves."