CommBank Matildas defender Courtney Nevin said that the two-game series against Korea Republic in the April international window is “really important” to preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™.
She was speaking after the team’s 2-0 victory on Monday evening in Newcastle, completing a clean sweep for the series, with two wins and no goals conceded.
“This camp was really important to be able to build on our play, build on us as a team,” she said.
“To be able to play this team going into the Asian Cup is really important because obviously we're going to be versing the likes of Korea Republic. It's really important to be able to understand their style of play.”
She explained that the game wasn’t easy, but it was what the team needed.
“It was a tough game,” she said.
“We did well in certain spots, we figured out how to get past them. And credit to the defence, we did well to keep a clean sheet, which is good – the team did an amazing job.”
Nevin started the game at left-back after coming off the bench in the first game of the series. It was her first start in green and gold since December last year.
“It felt great to be out there,” she said.
“Representing the green and gold is always an honour. To be able to get a start with the girls, I felt really privileged and proud to be out there.”
A feature of Nevin’s game is her ability to get forward and create opportunities from the left-hand side, particularly overlapping with the left-sided midfielders and forwards.
It was from one of these plays that the first goal was created when her cross to Emily van Egmond was a secondary assist for Mary Fowler’s opener.
“We started to create the three at the back, which allowed the full backs to get forward a bit more,” she explained.
“I really tried to get forward and put some crosses in for the girls. You saw in the first half there, I put a ball in for EVE [van Egmond], and then that created the chance for Mary, which was really good. I think that's a good style of play.”
CommBank Matildas fans have been very used to seeing Steph Catley at left-back over the years. In this game, Nevin lined up on the left while Catley took part at a centre-back.
The 23-year-old said that having the likes of Catley alongside her, guiding her through the process, was incredibly helpful.
“It’s so good for me to be able to play with the likes of Steph Catley next to me,” she expressed.
“To be able to have her there talking me through things, and having that support and that quality and expertise around me - and that experience - is something that I really want to keep around me. I think that will help me so much.”
Nevin will now return to Leicester City for the final four rounds of the season as she hopes to gain as much game time as possible.
“For me personally, it's just getting a lot more game time at Leicester,” she said.
“Get some game time, and get some wins under my belt there, and create a good football presence for myself [before the next camp].”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MAY/JUNE 2025 | MATCH SCHEDULE
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Friday, 30 May 2025
Kick-off: 8.00 pm AEST
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
CommBank Matildas v Argentina
Date: Monday, 2 June 2025
Kick-off: 7.30 pm AEST
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets
