Claudia Bunge’s unique schedule could well be the perfect way to ready herself for the 2025/26 season’s pointy end.
Melbourne Victory’s defender has prepared for the Ninja A-League 2026 Finals Series by qualifying for another FIFA Women’s World Cup finals tournament.
The 42-time international, whilst her club teammates were being put through their paces at The Home of The Matildas, was playing her part in helping New Zealand reach next year’s global showcase.
In the Football Ferns’ qualification deciders, the 26-year-old was named in the starting XI versus both Fiji and Papua New Guinea, contributing to 5-0 and 1-0 wins as they punched their ticket to Brazil 2027.
Speaking to MelbourneVictory.com.au, Bunge assessed how her international action has the potential to serve her very well in Finals.
“I think it’s actually been really good. I went home and was able to qualify with the Ferns, which was really cool.
“For the others, having time to iron out a few things and work on our tactics leading into this game was really big. Also, just having a few days off after the season, the girls really needed that just to mentally switch off, and prepare for what we’re hoping is going to be a successful Finals run.”
Bunge, a two-time Championship winner, will be competing in her fourth Finals series for the Club, having lifted the silverware in 2021 and 2022 repeat over Sydney FC, and was on the scoresheet in last term’s dramatic Grand Final bout with Central Coast Mariners.
The meeting with Canberra United on Saturday, April 25, kick-off 2pm AEST, will be her 11th Finals fixture, and she believes her experience could be a difference maker in ACT.
“It’s a different beast. It is just preparing super well, keeping a calm head, because there’s going to be periods in the game where they’re going to be on top of us, and if we do go down, just not panicking.
“In those big moments, it could be something that Kayla (Morrison) and I can do, and Mini (Rhianna Pollicina) and the other experienced players, like keeping a cool head, is going to be really important.”
Canberra completed a league double over Victory when they saw off Jeff Hopkins’ team in February. But that matchup at McKellar Park was not without controversy, as Bunge was shown a red card that was subsequently overturned.
Now she and the Girls in Blue get another shot at United, and she does not want to miss.
“If anything, it’s giving us a bit of extra motivation. Personally, I hate losing to the same team twice in a season, so to be given a chance to play them for a third time is good. And what better time than in an elimination final at their home field? It’s the perfect time to beat them.”
