Pearson: We've made history

CommBank Junior Matildas captain Willa Pearson has reflected on the pride of leading Australia at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™, as the side's historic maiden campaign came to an end following a narrow defeat to Mexico.

Despite the disappointment of exiting the tournament, the 15-year-old emphasised the significance of becoming the first Australian side to compete at the tournament, while reflecting on the experience of representing her country on the world stage.

"Obviously, extremely disappointed. We couldn't get the job done, but just so proud of everybody. We've made history, and although we're disappointed about the results today, we can't forget that."

"We're the first Aussie under-17 team to be here, and that's an amazing achievement."

"So we're going to take that with us. Enjoy the memories over the last two years of this cycle we've had, and keep being better footballers and better people."

The young defender had the opportunity to captain her country throughout the tournament, and at only 15 years old, will take plenty from the experience back to her club football with Sydney FC, and for the next cycle with the CommBank Junior Matildas. 

"There are absolutely no words to describe it. I'm so proud to be able to have this achievement."

"It's been the best couple of weeks in my life, to be honest. With my mates playing football, captaining my country. I'm so honoured to be able to have this. But obviously disappointed in myself that I couldn't get us over the line today."

Australia was drawn in a group alongside Chile, Spain and Mexico, with Spain two-time champions of the tournament, and Mexico finishing as bronze medalists in last year's edition of the tournament; they were up against the best of the best in this age group.

"I got to play against some of the best players our age in the world, and that was something I'm definitely going to take and put in the locker."

"It's an amazing experience for all of us players to be able to do that and have the opportunity to better ourselves against the best nations in the world."

Pearson now heads back home to start her A-League Women's season with hometown club Sydney FC, after an impressive debut season last year, being shortlisted for the PFA Young Women's Footballer of the Year.

"Just watching them and being on the same pitch as them with their centre backs. Watching the different types of passes, different types of balls they play, the way they engage the line."

"I'm going to try and implement that when I get back to Sydney."

Although the heartbreaking loss to Mexico saw the CommBank Junior Matildas depart their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™ tournament at the group stage, next year's tournament is on the horizon for the group.

"As a footballer, you got to learn to win, and you also got to learn to lose. But taking all those emotions, bottling them up, and then next time I get out on the pitch, trying to put them all against the opposition."