“I have played both all my life and… it kind of got to a point where I had to choose one or the other and because there wasn't really a pathway (for futsal), most people choose to pursue outdoor (football),” she told the-AFC.com. “When this opportunity to bring futsal back and put us on the map, it was a no-brainer for a lot of us to come back and give this our all.

“Of course, when you represent Australia at such a young age, you are super grateful but I think you don't realise how much it means to you until you don't get that opportunity again. So, to be able to represent Australia again, I feel super honoured to be here and I want to play every match as if it was my last. It's a dream of mine to be here, to be back and perform for Australia.”

The Qualifiers in January marked Australia’s Continental debut in women’s futsal and turned out to be a historic endeavour despite their short preparation time, as they booked their berth in Hohhot.

And it was Karrys-Stahl who scored their first ever goal in the tournament, as the 25-year-old finished off a swift counter-attack in their opening Group A game against China PR on Tuesday.

Australia still remain in contention for a knockout stage spot despite losing to China PR and Uzbekistan and Karrys-Stahl knows it’s now-or-never in their final fixture against Chinese Taipei on Saturday.

That sort of fervent desire stems from the realisation that Karrys-Stahl and her teammates are playing for more than just themselves, as they look to “lift the bar higher” now for those who will follow in their footsteps.

“It’s an honour to be representing Australia as the pioneers (for women’s futsal); it's not just about us, it's for future generations to come, for young girls to look up and see that, you know, this is something that they can aspire to and achieve,” she asserted. “So, we play for them, we play for us and we play for the people that have gone before us and haven't had this opportunity. So we just got to win this next game and put everything on the line.

“I have been playing ever since I could walk and always had a ball at my feet… and unfortunately there was a period where futsal kind of came to a bit of a stop. But this is why it's so important for us to keep growing the game and put Australia on the map because we deserve to be there. We deserve to have these programmes for everyone to come.”

Karrys-Stahl, who plays as a fixo in futsal, believes that both versions of the game complement each other well and continues to pursue them, turning out for Illawarra Stingrays in the state-level New South Wales National Premier Leagues Women’s and UTS Northside Futsal Club.

She juggles it all along with a full-time job in the construction industry and while it is not ideal, Karrys-Stahl just gets on with it because “you have to find the time and whether that's sacrificing sleep or sacrificing events and birthdays, and that's just the way it is, but I wouldn't change it because this is what I love doing.”

Born to a Greek father and Austrian mother, the Canberra native grew up in Australia and enjoys the different cultures that her mixed heritage brings. “I love to travel, so any time I can find the time to travel between football and futsal, I will do my best to visit those places and see family,” she added.

Family serves as a major driving force for Karrys-Stahl in her football journey as well and she simply hopes for the women’s game to keep reaching new heights Down Under.

“They have supported me so much growing up and I play for them and for the little me as well,” she said. “Without them, I wouldn't be here. I have played in so many different teams all around (the country) and the long drives to take me to training sessions and games, and the sacrifices that they make for me, so it feels only right to do them proud.

“Ideally, we get (to play) futsal all year round… But I think for now and the way that it's looking, I would like to keep doing both. I have big aspirations - to make it as far as I can, whether that's in futsal and if possible, in outdoor as well. That's what I'll keep striving to do because that's what I want.”