Perth Glory defender Natalie Tathem has expressed her devastation after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear that has denied her the chance of representing Australia in futsal at next month’s Asian Cup.
The heartbreaking story of Round 21 of the Ninja A-League season came in Perth Glory’s home clash with Canberra United, when experienced defender Tathem went down with an injury that has since been confirmed as an ACL tear.
Along with her commitments at club level with Perth Glory, the 29-year-old was in the midst of preparation for the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup in May, where Tathem was a strong contender for a place in the Australia Women’s National Futsal Team squad.
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On this week’s episode of Dub Zone, Sydney FC legend Teresa Polias and A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri reacted to the news of Tathem’s season-ending injury, with the double blow of the ACL tear impacting her push to represent Australia at next month’s Asian Cup.
“Tathem has done an ACL before, so this is really sad,” Pellizzeri said on Dub Zone.
“And she’s in the futsal Matildas squad as well, so if this is a long-term injury, it’s a double blow to miss out on that too.
“Absolutely gutting for Tathem,” Polias added. “You never want to see players go down like that. She’s such an important player to the Perth team. A really disappointing loss for them.”
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A top-three finish at the Futsal Asian Cup would seal Australia’s place at the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in November-December of this year; the two tournaments were major targets for Tathem to reach this year but, having suffered the second ACL tear of her career, the Glory defender took to social media to express her devastation.
“Devastated is an understatement,” Tathem wrote.
“A story that is all too familiar to me. Another complete ACL rupture. These are the moments that make you question it all. The Nat smile won’t be shining so bright for a little while. Another year of rehab. Having to learn to walk again, run again, to get back to feeling ‘normal’ again.
“4 weeks away from going to my first ever Asian Cup to represent Australia and it’s all taken away in a blink. These times are hard but (I) appreciate all those who have reached out. See you in 2026.”
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