CommBank Young Matildas forward Peta Trimis has been a big part of the team’s journey over the past two AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup™ cycles, and is already a championship winner at A-League Women’s level with the Central Coast Mariners.
Before all of that, though, the journey began at the park with her cousins. It created an abiding love for the game that has never ceased.
“I have a lot of boy cousins, and they all played football,” she said.
“That was how I got into it, I’d just go to the park for picnics and play with them. I always loved it. My Dad loves football as well, so that's probably how I got into it.
“I instantly loved it. I remember one of my uncles went up to my Dad and was like - 'you should put her in a team, she's really good'. It took a bit of begging for him to take me, but he did. I loved playing in the team straight away, and just wanted to keep going.”
Trimis has started all three games at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ so far. She is also one of a few players who also took part in the 2024 tournament, where she scored three goals and assisted one to help Australia qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024™.
“That was a really great tournament for me and for the team,” she said.
“I've looked back at that a lot, and it's definitely helped me be more prepared for this tournament. That was one of the first times I'd played against some of the best teams in the world. So now, coming and doing it again, I'm more prepared and know what we're going to be up against.”
In 2025, she was part of the Central Coast Mariners side that defeated Melbourne Victory on penalties in the A-League Women's final. Trimis was a late substitute and took one of the spot kicks that lifted her side to the trophy.
“That was a really great experience,” she reflected.
“It was a lot of pressure - coming on late in the game, and then taking a penalty - but I think I just looked at the positives and thought, ‘I can help my team win this’. I was really excited at that moment to take it, and the experience has helped me a lot coming into tournaments and pressure games.
“You can look at pressure in a positive or negative light. I think I thrive off it. I look at what I can gain from it, rather than what could go wrong. It helps me focus more, because you know what's at stake, and you just stay ready.”
The 19-year-old is a key cog in a side that is tight-knit on and off the pitch. She reflected on the ways that their bond helps them perform at the Asian Cup.
“Having a good culture off the field definitely translates into the hard moments on the field,” she said.
“Every single one of us is willing to work hard for the team and put the team above ourselves, and that's what, during the hard moments, is really going to get us through.
“All the girls here are so talented, and any one of them I can link up with and enjoy playing with. A lot of us have grown up playing together, so we're comfortable and we just enjoy ourselves out there.”
The team faces a tough test in the quarter-final against DPR Korea. They must win in order to secure a place at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026™.
Trimis said that as long as the team works hard and leaves everything out on the pitch, they will be satisfied with the result.
“For me, leaving my mark is just giving my all on the field and enjoying myself,” she said.
“As a team, we know the potential we have to go all the way, and qualify fort he World Cup, and win the tournament. As long as we know that we've put our best performance out there, whatever happens, I think we'll be happy with that in the end.
“The Matildas performance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ gives us hope going into it, knowing that never say die attitude. You can get one or two moments in the game and score a goal. That gives us a lot of hope.”
AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Thailand 2026
DPR Korea v Australia
Date: Sunday, 12 April 2026
Time: 4.00pm (Local)/ 7.00pm (AEST)
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium, Pathum Thani
Watch: Channel 10
