The generational shift under way within the Matildas, as an ageing golden generation blends with an emerging crop of young talent, is nowhere more evident than in the middle of the park. Side by side in the midfield, 30-year-old Katrina Gorry and 21-year-old Kyra Cooney-Cross represent the past, present and future of the Australian national team.
In recent years, “Mini” and “KCC”, as the pair are known, have become firm friends. Together, they offer potent midfield dynamism that will be critical if the Matildas are going to progress deep into the Women’s World Cup.
“I knew Kyra was always going to be an awesome player,” said Gorry. “I made sure I took her under my wing and we created a partnership. We have a good friendship off the field and I think that helps us on the field.
“We can talk about things we need to work on together, where we can help each other out. In such a big tournament, it’s nice to have someone close by you in the middle of the park to help navigate through tough games.”
The pair share more than a few similarities. Both were born in Brisbane (although Cooney-Cross’s family later moved to Victoria). Both play their club football in Sweden. And both broke into the national team at a young age, Gorry having played for the Matildas for over a decade and Cooney-Cross breaking into the national team in 2021 before her 20th birthday.
“She’s way better than me when I was young,” said Gorry. It is quite the compliment, given the midfielder was Asian Football Confederation player of the year in 2014, aged 22. “She’s technically one of the most gifted players. Being so young and having the experiences she does – she’s going to be a weapon the more she develops, the more experienced she gets.”
The feeling is clearly mutual. At a press conference at the Matildas’ Brisbane home base on Monday, Cooney-Cross spoke glowing about Gorry’s impact on her own development.
“Mini has been amazing since she came in from having [her daughter] Harper,” Cooney-Cross said. “As soon as she came in she took me under her wing, she made me feel so confident. I really enjoy playing with her. I don’t think words can describe how grateful I am. I’ve told her as much as I can that I appreciate her so much, because she makes me feel more confident every game.”
Cooney-Cross revealed that she models her game on Gorry, paying close attention to her teammate at every opportunity. “I watch her in training, games and video analysis every day,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot from her – she’s a great player. I love playing with her and I love watching her play.”
In the Matildas’ opening match against Ireland, Gorry was a dominant force, while Cooney-Cross struggled to assert herself on the game. With captain and star striker Sam Kerr absent through a calf injury for Thursday’s clash with Nigeria, both midfielders will have to step up and help create opportunities for Australia’s forward-line.
Although Cooney-Cross typically plays in the centre of the midfield, she spent some time on the wing in both of the Matildas’ recent games. But the emerging Hammarby star seemed unfazed by the movement around the park. “I don’t mind, wherever Tony [Gustavsson] needs me – I’ll be there, and for the girls of course,” she said. “I haven’t play right or left wing since I was a kid, so it was a bit of a surprise against France and Ireland.”
On Monday, following the press conference where Cooney-Cross expressed such admiration for her teammate, Matildas staff posted the clip on Instagram. Gorry added a comment, tagging Cooney-Cross. “Always got you,” Gorry wrote.
