Kyra Cooney-Cross said that scoring her first international goal was a big weight off her shoulders after she helped the CommBank Matildas to a 2-1 victory over Germany.
Her goal – a wonderstrike from near halfway – equalised the match in the first half before Clare Hunt’s header secured an historic win.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I scored,” she said after the match.
“I just feels like a big relief, and a weight off my shoulders.”
Not only was the goal a huge milestone itself, but it came in a massive game for the 22-year-old as she became the second-fastest CommBank Matilda to reach 50 appearances.
“I’m so grateful to get 50 caps,” she continued.
“I definitely wouldn’t be here without a few of the girls sticking by my side and helping me get there.
“It’s a surreal moment. I’m feeling very proud and grateful.”
She was more than happy to describe the moments leading up to her goal.
“We dispossessed the ball, and I saw Michelle [Heyman] running behind, but then I also looked up at the keeper, and she was off her line running back,” she recalled.
“So I thought, you know, I’ll have a shot and see if it goes in. Luckily, it did.
“We’ve all been waiting for this moment for a long time, and it’s finally happened, especially in a big game, it makes it even more special.”
Australia faced a nervy last 15 minutes or so after they took the lead as Germany desperately tried to equalise.
Cooney-Cross described how the team remained focused.
“Emily van Egmond called us into the huddle in the second half, and just explained to us to be compact and stick together and keep working hard,” she said.
“We were doing really well, and we stuck by what she said – and obviously what Tom [Sermanni] said at halftime – and it worked, and we got the win.”
It is only a few weeks until the next international window in November and December, when the CommBank Matildas will take on Brazil and Chinese Taipei in Queensland and Victoria.
Cooney-Cross said that she couldn’t wait to play at home once more.
“Honestly, I miss it so much,” she said.
“The first thing you do when you go and sing the national anthem, you look for your family and friends.
“It’s been a while since we’ve done that so I miss it, and we all can’t wait to be back home.”
