Steph Catley has led the Matildas all through the World Cup within the absence of Aussie celebrity Sam Kerr in additional methods than one.
A seemingly reluctant chief who appeared more than pleased to relinquish the captain’s armband as quickly as Kerr performed her first minutes, Catley has led the Aussies brilliantly because the Matildas search for its greatest ever World Cup efficiency with a win over France.
Australia has now made the World Cup quarters for the fourth time (2007, 2011, 2015 and now 2023) however by no means made it past.
But whereas her on discipline management has been excellent, the defender has additionally stood up when it’s mattered most — throughout penalty pictures.
Kerr is usually Australia’s penalty-taker however Catley has relieved her of that function as effectively, changing two alternatives from two makes an attempt in the course of the World Cup, together with the decisive purpose in opposition to Ireland which gave the Matildas a 1-0 win in entrance of a report crowd at Stadium Australia.
She additionally scored the fourth purpose from the spot within the Matildas’ 4-0 win over Canada, which helped Australia prime the group.
But whereas Catley stepping as much as the spot might have stunned some, her fiance Dean Bouzanis, who’s a goalkeeper for English League One aspect Reading within the third-tier of English soccer, was not stunned in any respect.
Speaking to KIIS FM’s Jase and Lauren, Bouzanis revealed Catley had schooled him from the penalty spot once they began relationship.
“When we first started dating I remember Steph was at Orlando (in USA), and I was at Melbourne City and in my off-season I travelled over, and I had to start doing a pre-season training schedule,” he stated.
“And Steph was like at the end of the session — mind you I was very tired because I had been running — she decided to take some pens against me.
“I’m not going to lie — she was scoring every single one. She didn’t really give me good confidence.
“Her penalties are second to none.”
The pair met when each performed for Melbourne City groups within the A-League and W-League respectively.
And in January this 12 months, Bouzanis popped the query.
“She caught my eye as soon as I got there (to Melbourne City),” Bouzanis stated.
“Everyone speaks so highly of Steph-the way she is as a person and once we started talking and getting to know each other we just clicked instantly.
“(Both being athletes) It’s very good because we both understand what’s needed for us to be the best we can in our careers, for example, there’s a lot of sacrifice – I haven’t seen Steph now for about eight or nine weeks. At the start of our relationship I didn’t see her for six or seven months.”
Bouzanis, who’s in England making ready for the brand new League One season, hasn’t been in a position to watch stay because the membership are on the coaching pitch when the video games have been performed.
He stated he usually sprints off on the finish of the periods “to catch the last 15 minutes”.
But regardless of not having been in a position to watch stay whereas on the opposite aspect of the world, Bouzanis stated the Matildas can win the entire thing.
“France are a very good team, they’ve got a lot of very good players,” Bouzanis stated.
“I think it’s going to be a tough game, but I think the Matildas will win.
“I haven’t said this to Steph, so I hope she doesn’t listen to this because she doesn’t like me getting ahead of myself but if they beat France, I think they’ll win the World Cup.”
Source: www.news.com.au
