Northern Beaches local Kahli Johnson was just four years old when she began playing soccer.
What started as a way to burn excess energy became a life goal when, at 12 years old, she learned soccer could be a full-time job. From then on, she never looked back.
Fast-forward to a recent Friday night in Melbourne, and that same girl, now 21, pulled on the green and gold for the first time and made her mark.
Not only did she score on her Matildas debut against Argentina on May 30, becoming cap #237 in the process, but she followed it up with an assist just three days later as Australia demolished the same opponents 4-1.
A key fixture in Australia’s youth national program, Kahli has been a leading talent since breaking through at the senior level with Manly United.
Kahli’s path to international football began in the Manly Warringah Football Association league with CC Strikers and as a Dee Why junior before progressing through Sydney FC’s youth development. She made her A-League Women’s debut with Sydney FC in 2021, playing eight matches in her first season.
A move to Western United in 2022 proved key for the then teenager. Over three seasons with the Melbourne-based club, she scored 13 goals in 47 league appearances, establishing herself as one of the competition’s most consistent attackers.
Her performances earned recognition at youth international level, going on to represent Australia at the 2022 and 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups. Kahli helped Australia secure bronze at the 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup in Uzbekistan.
In February this year, Johnson became the first Western United player to command a transfer fee when she signed with Calgary Wild FC in Canada’s new Northern Super League. The move represented a huge step in her professional career, with Western United describing it as a “landmark overseas transfer.”
Kahli’s inclusion in Matilda’s coach Tom Sermanni’s starting squad for the Argentina friendly came as part of a broader strategy to evaluate new talent. The Matildas fielded a relatively inexperienced starting eleven, with only 438 combined international caps among the starting players. Kahli didn’t hesitate to strike when given the opportunity.
“I was surprised and thrilled to get the start,” Kahli said after the match, reflecting on her debut selection.
“I woke up to it on the day of a game. I wasn’t expecting it that morning, but kind of opened my phone and it was right there,” she revealed in an interview.
“It was in the middle of the night here [in Australia], so I couldn’t really call home. I was kind of trying to stay reserved about it, because I had a game later that afternoon.
“After that game, I got to call home and tell my parents. That was pretty special. It was a great moment.”
Kahli is expected to remain part of the Matilda’s as the team builds toward future major tournaments under new permanent coach Joe Montemurro, who takes over from Sermanni following the current international matches.
Her progression from local club level to international football doesn’t only highlight the strength of our local development squads and coaches, it’s given every young footballer in the Northern Beaches something to aspire to.
