Matildas star Chloe Logarzo reveals how ‘incredible’ World Cup inspired a country – and why revamped A-League Women’s competition will thrive
- Chloe Logarzo is excited about the rise of the Matildas
- The 28-year-old midfielder was overlooked in the World Cup squad
- Determined to lighten up the A-League Women’s competition
- WATCH: ‘It All Begins’ – Episode 1 – The brand new football show from Mail Sport
Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo has stated that the sky is the limit for football in Australia after the World Cup – and is adamant that the revamped A-League Women’s competition will be a huge success.
Logarzo, 28, spoke Daily Post Australia on Friday – and remains bummed about the progress of the World Cup on local shores, despite Tony Gustavsson’s side coming up short in the semi-final against England.
“We are a sporting nation, and to see the amount of support the Matildas and football itself have received in recent weeks has been incredible,” she said.
“I spoke to people like Ellie (Carpenter) and Hayley (Raso).…they are devastated by their loss, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to potentially win a World Cup on home soil.
Anyway, the girls inspired an entire country, looking around the stadiums at full capacity and seeing so many Australian jerseys, they are memories I will always cherish.
Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo has stated the sky is the limit for football in Australia after the World Cup
Logarzo is also adamant that the upcoming A-League Women’s competition will be a huge success
Logarzo is the captain of Western United and will make a flying start in the first games in October
“Now we have to keep the ball rolling and watch the sport… and that starts with the A-League Women’s competition in October.”
Logarzo stole the hearts of Australian football fans after breaking down in tears during Optus Sports’ rolling coverage following the epic quarter-final win on penalties against France on August 12.
She admitted that her emotions got the better of her, but they were tears of joy.
“What people don’t understand is that we (Matildas) have been in these situations before and lost big tournaments because of penalties,” she said in emotional scenes.
“I’m so proud of the people who missed those penalties, who stood up and took them, because it takes a lot of courage to be able to do it.
“I couldn’t be more proud that we’re making history and I can just feel how great it feels, I’m just so proud.”
Logarzo will be a key figure in Western United’s midfield in October – and the skipper welcomed the news that the league will see 22 home and away games, as well as the reintroduction of the Central Coast Mariners after a 14-year absence.
“The more football games, the better,” she said. “We need investment in the sport for it to thrive, we all know that.
During Optus Sports’ World Cup coverage, Logarzo (pictured, right) had to put down her microphone, dry her eyes and calm herself down after crying as she explained what Matildas’ victory over France meant to her
Logarzo (pictured, at the Dolan Warren Awards in June) reflected on previous penalty shootout defeats
“That’s why I’m so happy to be with Western United, as a club they are community focused and they want to build something special.
“The aim is for this to be my best season yet… and hopefully return to the Matildas line-up after that.”
Logarzo missed out on World Cup squad after an ACL injury left her with little time to impress Gustavsson and the coaching staff.
And after showing the world what they’re capable of over the past few weeks, Logarzo is all in.
But as she pointed out, the goal will be to excel on the football field, not in commentary.