Goalkeeper Lydia Williams reflected on Tuesday about the upcoming games against China PR, including what will be her final home game representing the CommBank Matildas in Sydney.
She was speaking to Football Australia Media at the squad announcement for the ‘Til It’s Done Farewell Series, held in Adelaide, where game one of the series will take place. Williams has announced that she will be retiring from international football after Paris 2024™.
“It’s always an honour to be part of the CommBank Matildas squad,” the 36-year-old said. “I’m excited to have it be the farewell, not only leading into Paris but one final time kicking it around with the girls.”
Williams says that her rehab from her ankle injury that kept her out of the last CommBank Matildas squad has been “really good,” and that she’s back in full training.
It means that she enters this camp in a “content” space.
“It’s taken me a long time to get here,” she explained. “But I’m very lucky that I get to end things on my own terms and go out the way I want to. Being surrounded by my family and friends and the Matildas girls is the most important thing to me.”
The series is an important one, not just for Williams personally, but also for the team to prepare for the challenges they will face in Paris.
“This is probably one of the last times we could really get prepared for leading into Paris,” the goalkeeper said. “Not only is it going to be a send-off for myself, but it’s one of the final games that we can play before we kick off our first game.”
“Whilst it’s really exciting coming home, it’s still heads to the wall, and really focusing on what we need to do – and that’s making sure that we’re well-prepared heading into Paris and the Olympics.”
“It’s going to be exciting, it’s going to be a time where we get to change things – probably for one last time, if we really need to – but really, it’s final preparations.”
The two games will be held in Adelaide – where the CommBank Matildas have not played since 2019 – and Sydney.
“It’s the first time we’ve been in Adelaide in a long time, and not only that, in a huge stadium that we get to sell out again,” Williams said. “Obviously always excited to play.”
“Sydney – we know it well, we love it. That’s going to be a nice send-off, not only for the Matildas as a whole but for myself as well. It’s going to feel a little bit like home.”
Finally, the veteran expressed excitement over the growth of the game in recent years, and how exciting it is to be able to continue to inspire the next generation.
“It’s so exciting seeing where football’s come in this country. Not only for young girls but young boys,” she exclaimed.
“Just really leading the next generation in the excitement of not only football but to represent Australia in whatever way possible that children want to. It’s really exciting and obviously always humbled to receive that kind of attention.”
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MATCH SCHEDULE
Match One
CommBank Matildas v China PR
Date: Friday, 31 May 2024
Kick-off: 7.40pm ACST / 8.10pm AEST
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, South Australia
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold (PER), 10 Play and Paramount+
Match Two
CommBank Matildas v China PR
Date: Monday, 3 June 2024
Kick-off: 7:40pm AEST
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales
Broadcast: 10, 10 Bold (PER), 10 Play and Paramount+