CommBank Young Matildas captain Alexia Apostolakis said that she was incredibly proud of the team after their valiant AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ campaign came to an end against DPR Korea on Sunday.
She was speaking after the team’s 3-0 defeat against the defending age group world champions.
“We're obviously super devastated,” she said.
“Looking around, I see everyone and they look very defeated. It’s so disappointing being a leader and seeing that, because these girls put in so much fight and so much effort and things that people don't see behind closed doors, with all their stories and all their journeys to get here.
“I just feel disappointed that they don't get to show that on the next stage. I know it's something that we were really fighting against all odds for. I'm just so incredibly proud of this team, and I know that there's going to be more to come.”
She heaped praise on the group, who she said had been nothing but fantastic.
“This team is actually incredible,” she stressed.
“You ask something from them, and they give it to you tenfold, and it makes my job easy as a leader. I can't describe how proud I am of every single individual. I know it's been a tough, tough ride, with nothing really going our way at times, but I’m so proud of this team.”
The team did not take a backwards step against DPR Korea. Apostolakis praised their never say die attitude.
“We knew North Korea was going to be a battle, and we had to match it,” she said.
“Out there in the middle, we had to find a balance between being super aggressive, but also staying calm. There are moments in the game that weren't our football and how we like to play, but we have to match their level.
“We went down pretty early, but nothing made us drop our heads. To the last minute, we were still sending balls forward and running in this heat and everything. We’ve had four full matches here now, and honestly, you can't see that we're tired at all. I credit the girls for that. I credit the staff for that. We wish it could be a different result, but we left everything on the pitch, and we're proud of that.”
She ended with a message for everyone who supported the team from back home during the tournament.
“Thank you so much for the support. We feel it," she said.
“In moments when it's super tough, we know we have the backing of so many people and our teammates back at home, our families back at home, everyone watching - it feels like an extra player on the pitch.
“We only ask that you continue to support us and the next group. We’ll see where we go in the future as well.”