When Melbourne Victory midfielder Alana Murphy arrived in the United States to link up with the CommBank Matildas squad, the words of her club teammate Emily Gielnik were ringing in her ears.
Murphy was called into the squad as an injury replacement for Clare Wheeler ahead of Australia’s SheBelieves Cup campaign and, in the Matildas’ second game of the tournament against host nation United States, the 19-year-old came off the bench for her senior international debut as Matildas cap #235.
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From being overlooked for selection in the initial squad to a sudden call-up and a whirlwind adventure to the US, February has been a manic month for the teenage midfielder who, after her debut, revealed how advice given to her by Victory teammate Gielnik – an experienced Matilda with 60 international appearances to her name – helped sharpen her focus for the SheBelieves Cup.
“It’s definitely a huge step up,” Murphy said.
“I spoke to Emily Gielnik before coming in (to camp) at training and she kind of gave me the idea that it was a bit like sink or swim, you step up to the occasion. And that’s kind of what I’ve been thinking about coming into training and the game.
“It’s a big jump, but I was looking forward to it.”
“I was an injury replacement, so I think I found out on Tuesday and left (for the US) on Monday,” Murphy added. “So six days… I didn’t have too much time to process it. But that’s how it is in international football.
“It’s pretty special. I think I’m still wrapping my head around it a bit. But I’ve got a lot of nice messages from my family and friends, so it’s rewarding,” she concluded.
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Murphy came off the bench in the 64th minute of Australia’s 2-1 loss to the US, replacing Mary Fowler in midfield for interim head coach Tom Sermanni’s side.
Playing alongside Murphy in the centre of midfield was her former Victory teammate, Kyra Cooney-Cross; the now-Arsenal star was on the pitch when Murphy made her Victory debut in December, 2021 – a fact that made the teenager’s Matildas moment all the more special.
“I’ve known Kyra for a fair few years now,” Murphy said. “She was there when I made my A-league debut, and now my Matildas debut, which was obviously pretty special.
“It’s nice to have familiar faces around here, and just knowing that she was in my position at one stage, and look where she is now? It’s special to share that with her.”
Murphy and the Matildas finish their SheBelieves Cup campaign against Colombia on Thursday, February 27 (AEDT).
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