Angie Beard brushes shoulders with Brazilian best

Angie Beard got to do something not many people do.

“I did a slide tackle on Marta,” the defender explained, the excitement in her voice obvious.

“I think I'm ready to just wake up and be back in bed this morning, ready for game day because that's something that I can't even put into words.”

Beard was one of several players getting their first taste of playing in a Commonwealth Bank Matildas jersey in front of a home crowd as the team did battle with Brazil, earning a 2-2 draw.

After 19 months with no national team activity on Australian shores, these matches were special for players and fans alike.

With over 27,000 fans walking through the gates at CommBank Stadium across the two games, they were all treated to exhilarating contests with plenty of goals to excite and delight both teams’ passionate supporters.

Their noise and excitement made already thrilling games even more exciting to watch across the channels of 10 and gave the Commonwealth Bank Matildas an undeniable boost, one Beard still can’t quite believe.

NEWS: Gustavsson and Williams discuss pros and cons after Brazil friendlies

HOW TO WATCH: AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ draw tonight

“This is honestly unreal, the stadium the fans just being around the girls it's literally the most surreal thing I ever felt in my entire life.” she said post-game.

While she will remember her slide tackle on one of the greatest of players of all time, just sharing the pitch with Marta as well as some of her Australian team mates has been a highlight for the Fortuna Hjørring player.

“Playing against players like Marta, playing with players like Sam [Kerr] and EvE [Emily van Egmond] and all these girls that I grew up watching playing and playing beside them, it's honestly just unbelievable.”

Tuesday night’s match was Beard’s second in green and gold and she hopes to add to it, especially in front of more home crowds.

“It's insane. I love it. I was telling someone, I think I was telling Polks [Clare Polkinghorne], the feeling you get being out here is honestly indescribable.”

The palpable support means so much to Beard since, like many of her team mates, she was on the other side of the fence not too long ago.

“I can't tell you, the energy that you feel and even just like the love and support the Matildas feel. I knew of it because that's the love and support I gave the girls before I was here, but just feeling it, it's honestly, it takes your breath away.”