Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams has announced she will hang up the gloves at international level after the Paris Olympics.
Currently with 103 senior caps to her name, Australian football’s longest-serving player will bring an end to her distinguished career in green and gold hoping to win a first Olympic medal later this year.
The 35-year-old Melbourne Victory shot stopper, who has played at five World Cups and was part of the 2010 Asian Cup title triumph, made her announcement on social media on Thursday night.
“It’s been a wonderful ride over the last 19 years and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to not only wear the crest and perform for my country, but also to the wonderful memories and fantastic people that I’ve met along the way,” said Williams, who has played her club football overseas in the US, Sweden, England and France.
“I love the team and I love the girls and I’m gonna miss them so much and I just hope that the level of support and love shown to the Matildas and to each and every single player continues.
Tony Gustavsson’s Matildas have been drawn in Group B with the world No 4 United States, world No 5 Germany and Zambia. It will be Australia’s fifth appearance in the women’s Olympic football tournament (2000, 2004, 2016, 2020, 2024), with their best-ever finish of fourth coming in Tokyo.
The Matildas will play their group stage matches in Marseille and Nice and open their campaign against the Europeans on 25 July.