After notching up her 100th appearance in goal for the CommBank Matildas this morning, veteran goalkeeper Lydia Williams spoke about the Aussies' 1-1 draw against Portugal and what she's been most proud of over her 17-year national team career.
"To be honest, I've kind of approached every game just being really grateful and appreciative to be able to play for my country and with this team. But today, quite a few people told me to savour the whole day which is something I don't really do that much, I just go out there and play," Williams, who captained the team in their match-up against Portugal, said.
"I took their advice, I tried to do something a bit different and I've actually really enjoyed today, I've taken in everything and really appreciated it."
Williams didn't feature in the CommBank Matildas 7-0 defeat to Spain earlier in the week but says the teams' ability to bounce back despite the challenges they faced going into the friendlies and the result against world No.7, La Roja.
"Obviously, we wanted to end the tour on a high and I think we could have won that game, so it's disappointing that it didn't go our way at the end of it," she explained. "But to come in with a squad that has been working hard really hard and with a lot of new faces and to bounce back into a game that we probably should have won, I think gave us good insight moving forward."
Being a member of the CommBank Matildas since 2005, Williams has been present for many historic milestones. Winning the Asian Cup in 2010, one of four she would compete in, playing in four world cups and two Olympic Games.
Off the pitch, Williams has also acted as a leader, driving change for equality in women's sport.
WATCH: A draw in Portugal for centurion Williams and CommBank Matildas
READ: Gustavsson sees positive answers from Portugal draw
"To be honest, I'm most proud of the girls," she said when asked about her proudest moments.
"I've probably been around for all of their first caps and to see the players and the people that they've become and how influential and special they are, that's been the most amazing thing to see, their growth. I'm just really happy that I get to call them my teammates and friends."
A proud Noongar woman, Williams is honoured to act as a role model to Indigenous kids, showing them that there is no limit to what they can achieve.
"I think it's really special [being a role model]. I got to go back to the desert not too long ago, so to get back into my Indigenous roots and experience that again, was really special to me," she shared.
"I hope that I can be a role model to Indigenous kids and prove that, you can come from anywhere and make something of yourself."
