by Ben Gilby (13/8/23)
Above: Matildas legend Clare Polkinghorne speaking today. Image: CommBank Matildas/Football Australia.
Clare Polkinghorne has seen and experienced most things in her record-breaking 17-year career representing her country. But last night’s win over France was something else.
“It was an incredible night for everyone,” the defender beamed. We’re feeling really proud and I’m not sure it’s really sunk in yet. We re-group and go again on Wednesday.”
The showdown with France was an epic battle that ebbed and flowed all night, but for the Matildas’ record appearance holder, the way her side developed and challenged their opponents more the longer the game went on was something that she was hugely proud of them for.
“They (France) are a world-class team and they challenged us in every facet of the game. As the game went on, we got more confidence and more belief. Mary (Fowler)…really grew into the game, and to hold them out and keep a clean sheet (against France) is incredible against such a powerful team.”
That clean sheet was the fourth in five games this World Cup that goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has kept. The West Ham United shot-stopper’s ascent to her current status has been rapid after falling behind Lydia Williams and then Teagan Micah in the battle for selection in recent years. But Arnold is the form of her life at the best possible time.
“It’s really incredible. She’s really earned it. She took her opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. What she did last night – we all knew she was capable of it, but to deliver it on the biggest stage is incredible and we’re really proud of her.”
When the final whistle went in Brisbane last night signalling a penalty shoot-out, long time Matildas fans cast a worried look at each other – Australia’s record in shoot-outs has been a source of pain for players and supporters for years. But this is a different Matildas, as Polkinghorne pointed out.
“I remember when we were back at the Rio Olympics (in 2016) and when we had a penalty shoot-out there against Brazil and the atmosphere that we were up against and we replicated that (last night). It was incredible. There is no better feeling. Words cannot describe what it means to us as a group. It shows how far our team have come and how we’ve matured as a group. People were not afraid to step up and take the responsibility on.”
With the entire nation seemingly coming to a halt last evening to support The Matildas in stadiums, in front of big screens, in pubs, in living rooms, women’s sport, and football specifically has achieved something which may be hard to appreciate for those outside of Australia due to the domination of AFL and NRL – both sports’ seasons are coming towards their pointy end – but it’s all about The Matildas now.
“It means everything,” Polkinghorne said. If someone had described what last night would mean, I would have thought they were joking. We’ve come such a long way. This is what we’ve been fighting for. To have the Australian public standing with us and fighting for us is incredible. We set a goal of wanting to inspire the nation, and hopefully we’re doing that.
“We’ve always had belief in ourselves as a group, but for everyone else to have belief in us is really special. It’s been something we’ve been wanting for a long time.”
Whilst last night was special for Australia, all it has ultimately done is set up another big hurdle for The Matildas to clear. It’s one that the 34-year-old recognises is tough, but surmountable.
“The job is not done yet. Our focus now turns to Wednesday and the semi-final. They (England) are a world-class team and they are going to be very difficult to come up against. We’re up for the challenge and we know that if we play to our potential, then we have belief in what we can do.”
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