Matildas veteran Lydia Williams has made an emotional farewell to international football. The 36-year old goalkeeper began her Australia career at 17, debuting in the July 2005 3-0 loss to Korea Republic, and earlier this week stood between the posts for the 104th time as the national team claimed a 2-0 win over China in Sydney.
Last month Lydia announced she would bring the curtain down on her international career at the conclusion of Australia’s Olympic Games campaign. The Katanning-born ‘keeper will travel to Paris but only as cover should Mackenzie Arnold or Teagan Micah withdraw from the squad, meaning the friendly with China is likely to be her final appearance for the Matildas.
Before this week’s game, Lydia’s teammates and coaching staff, friends and family gave the proud Noongar woman a guard of honour. Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong-Cawley then presented Lydia a Booka, a kangaroo skin cloak traditionally worn by Noongar people, decorated with the story of Williams and her family.
“To receive that gift from Evonne was just incredible and I think that was probably the moment that tipped me over emotionally,” said Lydia, Australian football’s longest-serving player. “That was kind of a cap off to the kid that grew up in the desert that fell in love with football.”
“I don’t know if it’s like, game recognises game. It was a lovely moment. A lot of sporting women in Australia just want to leave the game better than when they first arrived in it and don’t really realise the impact of how they have shaped the culture of not only women’s sport, but just Australian sport.”
Lydia wore the captain’s armband against China and was cheered enthusiastically by the 76,798-strong crowd every time she touched the ball. Substituted shortly before half-time for first choice ‘keeper Arnold, Lydia was given a standing ovation as she made her way from the field.
Across a 19-year international career, Lydia featured in five World Cups, six women’s Asian Cups – including the 2010 title triumph – and two Olympic Games. Off the field, she has been a crucial figure for women’s football and in 2015 spearheaded the fight to improve working conditions for the national team.
