Freier: To start, and score a goal, was "very exciting"

CommBank Matilda Sharn Freier said that earning her first start against Chinese Taipei, and scoring her first goal, was a “good feeling.”

She was speaking after Australia’s 3-1 victory on Wednesday in Melbourne.

“It was good obviously to get the win, but to score a goal as well is very exciting,” she said.

“Just to start the game was a very good feeling for me.

“My family were here – my Mum, my sister, my Nana and my sister’s partner, so it was good to have people here to see it in person.”

The explosive winger was heavily involved in the game, regularly seen taking on defenders on the dribble.

“I was just making sure to be in a position I was able to get on the ball,” she explained.

“I wanted to kind of run at my defender and see what I could do, and hopefully create chances for the team.

“[I was] just making sure I was able to help out in any way I could.”
 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by CommBank Matildas (@matildas)

Freier is beginning to become a regular face in the national team this year, but she said that she never takes it for granted.

“The group is wonderful. It’s very welcoming, and I always feel like I’m with the best bunch of people,” she said.

“But I don’t ever want to feel like I’m stuck in here, because every day you never know, you have to work hard and you have to keep doing that. So I don’t want to say that I’m in this team forever, because it’s not like that.

“I just want to keep working hard, and when I get the opportunity, take it, and hopefully perform. That’s my main goal.”

Chinese Taipei are an opposition that Australia may well face at the AFC Asian Cup 2026™.

Freier said that this friendly series provides fantastic preparation for that tournament.

“It’s good for our preparation,” she said.

“Most teams like that, they sit in a [low] block. So for us to practice and work on that, see how we can break them down and do that, it’s really important for our preparation.”

The 23-year-old was one of three first-time goal scorers in the match on Wednesday. She explained that everyone was pretty excited for the milestone.

“I was excited, personally, so I could just imagine everyone else was feeling excited – Tash and Bryleeh,” she said.

“Pumped for everyone, but I think the team did a good job, and it was good that we could finish [our chances].”