‘It felt like I wasn’t going to get called up’: Galabadaarachchi reflects on Matildas debut

As the Matildas continue their first window under Joe Montemurro, the teething problems in the midfield have been on stark display, and once again showed up in the sides 1-0 loss to Panama.

But there were some positives to come out of the loss to the Central American side, which included four new Matildas debuts as Adriana Taranto (cap 239), Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (cap 240), Grace Kuilamu (cap 241), and Alexia Apostolakis (cap 242) became the latest players to etch their names in the history books.

For Galabadaarachchi, who last featured in a Matildas camp in over three years ago in June, 2022 under Tony Gustavsson, she thought her opportunity to represent Australia had passed her by.

“The feeling to step on the field for the first time with the Matildas jersey is unbelievable and I’m really, really grateful to be given the opportunity,” she said after the game.

“I didn’t think I was going to get called in to be honest.

“But when I got that call-up, I told my family and everyone was so happy for me and I was over the moon.

“It felt like I wasn’t going to get called up, but here I am and I’m really grateful and I’m enjoying every moment.”

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Galabadaarachchi had previously spent time being coached by Montemurro at Melbourne City, before a stint at Perth Glory followed by various clubs in Europe, with the Matildas coach mentioning in his squad selection announcement that he had been following her progress throughout his stints coaching in Europe.

Her first interaction with Montemurro in camp was in the dinner room where she thanked him for inviting her into camp, which was met with the coach saying he was happy to have her in camp.

“He was one of my first coaches when I played for Melbourne City when I was 15, and he’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Galabadaarachchi said.

Coming on in the 77th minute, Galabadaarachchi had about 20 minutes including stoppage time to make her mark on the contest, and she linked up with fellow debutant Adriana Taranto, who nearly scored an equalising goal for the Matildas late in the contest.

Galabadaarachchi admitted it was quite a hectic game to come into for her debut, but that she wanted to try and make an impact.

“Joe told me [to] go out there, enjoy your debut, [and] live in the moment.

“I tried to make a good impact with the minutes that I had, but I did the best that I can.”

The Matildas will conclude their international window with a second game against Panama on Tuesday night at HBF Park in Perth, with kick-off at 6pm WST/8pm AEST.