Daniela Galic said it was a “dream come true” after she became CommBank Matilda #229 on Saturday morning (AEDT).
“It’s unreal,” she said after the 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
“I had dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl, and now to finally be a Matilda, it’s just a dream come true.”
To be handed her debut only days after coming in for her first senior camp must feel like a whirlwind for the 18-year-old, but she is taking it all in her stride.
“Coming into camp, you have to prepare to come onto the field,” she said.
“So even if I didn’t come on, I was prepared.”
Galic was part of several substitutes being readied to come on in the 79th minute of the match.
“It all happened so fast, it was such a rush,” she explained.
“All of a sudden, the coaches are calling everyone over. Before I went on the pitch, Tommy just said, 'Welcome.' Then I ran on.”
She was embraced by teammates such as former Melbourne City teammate Kaitlyn Torpey before congratulating her on her debut.
“I wasn’t thinking much, to be honest, I was just eager to get on the pitch!” she recalled of those moments.
“It was such an exciting moment, especially there with Torpey. We played together at Melbourne City, so it was nice to have her there. It was a nice moment.”
Like much of the country, Galic had watched the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ as a fan, as the CommBank Matildas captivated a nation and broke viewing records on television and in the stands.
To now be able to play alongside her heroes was “surreal.”
“It was just unbelievable [to play alongside the girls],” she said.
“I watched them at the World Cup and I was a fan, just like so many of us were. Now to be playing with them, and even training with them the last couple of days, has been such a surreal experience. I’ve been taking in every moment.”
To take on an opponent like Switzerland made the occasion extra special for the youngster.
“I was really enjoying watching them on the bench,” she expressed.
“Just the way they played, and how we matched them as well. It was such a great, entertaining game.
“To be a part of it was even better.”
When she was asked what was next, her answer was simple – continue on the same path as long as possible.
“Hopefully coming into more Matildas' camps, and getting more caps,” she said.
Germany v CommBank Matildas
Date: Monday, 28 October 2024 (local) / Tuesday, 29 October (AEDT)
Kick-off: 6.10pm CET (local) / 4.10am (AEDT)
Venue: Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets: DFB Ticket Portal
