Our Wini is winning high praise
Hometown Hero
Hometown Matilda’s soccer team hero Winonah Heatley has impressed as part of the “evolution” of the side, one of eight players in the AFC Asian Cup squad for the first time.
Heatley’s performance against the Philippines in the opening game showcased her remarkable composure.
At 24, the Julatten girl and former Douglas United player has been praised for playing with the calmness and confidence of a seasoned international.
In the 1-0 win against the Philippines in Perth, her presence on the ball was smooth and assured, and she never seemed rushed.
Football writer Isabelle Campbell said what’s most impressive is how Heatley makes the game look effortless.
“Her ability to read situations and make smart, composed decisions helped the Matildas maintain control throughout the match.
“Whether it was distributing passes, shutting down attack or calmly building play from the back, Heatley’s touch and decision-making were integral to Australia’s fluid style of play.
“Her maturity on the pitch suggests she’s not just a player for today, but for the long-term future of the Matildas.
“Heatley is a player who looks set to be a mainstay in the squad for years to come; indeed, she could very well become one of the defining players – and leaders – of the Matildas’ next era.”
Heatley played the full match against Philippines but was a substitute with no game time for the second game, a 4-0 win over Iran on the Gold Coast, in a tournament which also serves as Australia’s qualification pathway to the FIFA World Cup.
She started on in the Matildas’ frustrating 3-3 draw with Korea Republic on Sunday night in Sydney, substituted out in the dying minutes of the game just before Australia scored through Alanna Kennedy to equalise.
Heatley says to play at the international level on home soil is “super special’’.
She has had to call on her resilience multiple times in recent years, having experienced her first national team camp in late 2021 before missing out on the 2022 Asian Cup, 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics squads.
But little could equip her for the passing of her step-brother, Josh, at the end of last year after a long battle with cancer.
“It’s something that I want to talk about, and it’s not a secret that my step-brother passed away at the end of last year and even more so special when I play in front of my family at home,’’ she told reporters on the eve of the Asian Cup.
“I think it’s something that I really want to talk about, and I’m really passionate about that sphere, but maybe something that I try and keep separate from the tournament.”
The Matildas now travel to Perth for a Friday quarter-final clash with North Korea.
