Heatley makes impressive start

Matildas Soccer

Shaun Hollis

Journalist

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Winonah Heatley walks off with the trainers after a successful starting debut against Brazil.

Praise has been heaped on Julatten-raised international soccer player Winonah Heatley after she made her starting-team debut for the Matildas.

Heatley, 23, earned the respect of Australian coach Tom Sermanni for her performance, who said she played “admirably” in the 3-1 loss to Brazil in Brisbane last Thursday.

And hundreds of fans posted positive reactions online on sites such as the official Matildas Instagram page.

Heatley held her own during the match against a physical Brazilian outfit, earning a host of possessions until she was substituted off in the 72nd minute with a minor leg injury.

She did not play in the second game against Brazil on Sunday night on the Gold Coast, which Australia lost 2-1.

Comments from Matildas fans about Winonah “Wini” Heatley’s game included “one of the best on the field for the night”, “such an asset to the Matildas team” and “she was brilliant”. 

“Wini was amazing last night! I loved seeing her play so hard and cheering her on,” wrote fan Melissa Gaye.

Heatley, who plays her club soccer for Nordsjælland in the Danish Women’s League, is returning home to Far North Queensland for a month after the Matildas’ two upcoming friendlies against Taiwan in Victoria on Wednesday and Saturday.

She made her international debut last month when she was substituted on in a friendly match against Germany in Germany.

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