Katanning-born Lydia Williams has become the longest-serving Matilda with her national team duty spanning almost 16 years. The 33-year old goalkeeper began her journey with the Matildas at the age of 17, debuting against the Korea Republic in July 2005 and has since registered 89 caps.

Williams, who currently plays her club football at English club Arsenal, has featured at four Women’s World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019), five AFC Asian Cups (2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2018) and will turn out at her second Olympic Games, following on from Rio 2006, when Tokyo 2020 commences later this month.

Williams became the Matildas’ long-serving player during the week, clocking up 15 years, 11 months and 10 days with the national team. She is Australia’s fourth longest serving player overall behind retired Socceroos Mark Schwarzer (20 years, 38 days), Harry Kewell (17 years, 46 days) and Lucas Neill (17 years, 41 days).

A graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport, Williams has played her club football with Canberra United and Melbourne City in Australia, Chicago Red Stars, Western New York Flash, Houston Dash and Reign FC in the United States and Sweden’s Pitea IF prior to joining Arsenal in July 2020.