Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry admits she lost her love for football

A few months ago Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue playing football.

Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry celebrates scoring against a goal against Chinese Taiepi at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

She’s on the verge of helping Australia qualify for this year’s Olympics, but a few months ago Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry wasn’t sure if she would keep playing football.

After overcoming a serious ankle injury to be part of Australia’s squad at last year’s Women’s World Cup in France, the 27-year-old admits she entered this summer’s W-League campaign with Brisbane Roar at a crossroads in her career.

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“The last few months have been pretty big ones for me,” Gorry said. “It was kind of a decisive moment to stay or leave football.

“For me I just wanted to have a good season at Roar, to enjoy my football again and that’s exactly what I’ve done.

“That’s got my foot in the door for Matildas again and I’m back in that environment and enjoying it which I haven’t for a while there.”

Gorry was part of the Matildas squad for the recent Olympic qualifying tournament in Sydney.

The diminutive playmaker, nicknamed Mini, scored in Australia’s thumping 7-0 win over Chinese Taipei as the Matildas pipped China to top spot in Group B on goal difference.

That has set up a two-leg playoff for a spot at Tokyo 2020 against Vietnam, with the first leg to be played in Newcastle on March 6.

The team then travels to the southeast Asian nation for the return leg on March 11.

After the W-League season finishes, Gorry will head to Norway with Roar and Matildas teammate Clare Polkinghorne to play for Toppserien outfit Avaldsnes – joining several other top Australian players in Europe.

“For me it is a huge couple of months but I just want to keep enjoying the game because that’s the reason why we play and, for me, for a little bit there I fell out of love with it,” she said.

“I don’t want to be in that place again and right now I’m just enjoying it.”

AAP