Matildas star Steph Catley fights back tears after devastating Asian Cup final loss

Matildas star Steph Catley had to fight back tears after the heartbreak of her side's Asian Cup final loss to Japan in an emotional scene.

Catley has been part of the Matildas for over a decade and played in the home World Cup where Australia wasn't able to reach the final.

The ever-reliable 32-year-old was asked post-match how disappointing the result was to take and struggled to contain herself.

AS IT HAPPENED: Matildas v Japan, Women's Asian Cup final

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"Probably one of the hardest … I don't know if I'm going to be able to do this," she said on Paramount+, holding back tears.

"One of the hardest of my career.

"I just think we did everything we could have, we did everything we set out to do. We played against an amazing side who were brave and created chances. It just wasn't to be.

"So proud of this team and so proud to be part of this team and represent what we do. It's a tough one."

Catley was standing there in the defensive line and had to watch in the early exchanges as Maiko Hamano's goal sailed past Mackenzie Arnold.

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The defender simply said "that's football sometimes, it's heartbreaking" about the goal before speaking to her pride of the Matildas and its influence on Australia.

The crowd at Stadium Australia was 74,397, the largest ever in a Women's Asian Cup match.

"You look at the crowd and what Australian football has become, that is something to be proud of. I'm so proud of this team, so proud to be part of it every single day," she said.

"It's a shame we haven't got anything to show for it because we deserve it.

"I don't know what to say."