My Matildas story: Lydia Williams – ‘No one knew who we were four years ago but we’ve left a mark’

When Lydia Williams began playing for the Matildas 14 years ago, she had no idea of the path that football would take her or the impact the national team could have on the women’s game.

Now more than a decade on, the experienced keeper is heading into a fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup and part of a Matildas squad that has captured the imagination of the nation.

In an exclusive interview for matildas.com.au, Williams reflects on her path in the sport and how continuing to raise the bar is driving the Matildas forward.

“My journey through my footballing career has been incredible. I don’t even get a chance to look back at it yet, and I don’t want to because I want to keep living it,” the 31-year-old shot-stopper said.

I want to leave a lasting impression of how Australians are.

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“I think we’re all really relatable. We all have a unique story, we come from one of the most beautiful countries in the world and we’re playing this beautiful game.

“No one knew who we were four years ago, but right now we’ve left a mark and we want to continue that.”

While Williams was a part of the 2007 World Cup squad, her first match at the tournament came four years later in Germany in the group match against Equatorial Guinea.

“It was pretty daunting. I’d been playing in the national team a lot of games, but to play on that big stage it was pretty nerve-wracking,” she recalled of that opening group match in 2011.

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“But once I got out there all the fears disappeared and I knew I had to perform for my team and it was the highest honour.

Every time I step out onto the field I want to represent Australia to the best of my abilities and the World Cup is an amazing event. To perform and play there is the highest honour. It was incredible.”

Watch the full interview with Lydia Williams in the video at the top of the page.

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World Cup France 2019™ – Group C – Australia Matches

Australia v Italy
Date: Sunday, 9 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes
Kick-off: 9.00pm AEST (1.00pm local time, same day)

Australia v Brazil
Date: Friday, 14 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 2.00am AEST (6.00pm local time, Thursday 13 June)

Jamaica v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Kick-off: 5.00am AEST (9.00pm local time, Tuesday 18 June)

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This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
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