Alexia Apostolakis: "Play like no one's there" | Football Australia

Alexia Apostolakis is one half of a solid CommBank Young Matildas centre-back partnership that has only conceded one goal in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ so far.

To do the role well requires organisation, communication, and hours upon hours of training drills, but the making of Apostolakis as a footballer didn’t come from the training ground. It came from the game distilled to its purest – a player, and a ball, in a park.

“When I’m by myself and I just get to practice, get on the pitch and there’s no one there, that’s my safe space,” the 17-year-old told Football Australia media.

“Growing up, when I used to go to the park with my Dad a lot, that’s when I really found that love for that safe environment. Just kicking the ball with him, there was no pressure, and I just felt that I could do anything.

“I still find that when I’m stressed or at training, things aren’t going well, or during the season, I definitely take the ball to the park and that’s where I find myself again, just getting my touches on the ball and shooting – just find my love again for soccer.”

She attributes her interest in football to her older brother. Highly competitive backyard duels ensued after their parents enrolled them in multiple sports, including football, together. While he ended up following other sporting interests, it was the round ball game that stuck for the younger sibling.

For Apostolakis, the key to playing well is to “play like no one’s there” – to be the kid at the park, with no pressure and no stakes.

“When you take pressure away, and you try to think about why you started, why you’re there, I think it really helps,” she continued.

“Everyone starts from somewhere. I think it’s really important to hold on to that…