Australia Matildas vs Brazil live score, updates, start time AEDT, how to watch, Clare Polkinghorne retirement, latest news

The “team first” attitude that has been the mantra of Clare Polkinghorne’s entire Matildas career is once again on full display ahead of the departing veteran’s farewell game against Brazil in Brisbane this evening.

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Queenslander Polkinghorne, the most capped Matilda in history with 167 caps to her name, will conclude her 18-year international career in style in front of more than 40,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

It is the Matildas’ 15th consecutive sellout on home soil, with average attendance this year at 44,000.

Matilda’s XI: Arnold (GK), Heatley, Polkinghorne (c), Catley, Foord, Van Egmond, Kennedy, Raso, Carpenter, Cooney-Cross, Hunt

Subs: Nevin, Yallop, Freier, Heyman, Rankin, Gielnik, Galic, Davidson, Micah (GK), Grant, Lincoln (GK), Prior

MATILDAS vs BRAZIL MATCH CENTER: Live scores, updates and more

While she is no longer part of Australia’s top 11, Polkinghorne will start against the Brazilians before being eliminated at some point in the game to ensure she is properly recognized by the crowd.

However, the 35-year-old defender said on Wednesday she wanted the best for the team, even if that meant Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni calling her up among the substitutes.

“The most important thing for me is putting the team first … and making sure we do the job,” Polkinghorne said.

“Whatever Tommy decides is up to him, but for me it’s just about being part of the evening, enjoying it and celebrating the career I’ve had.

“The focus is just on enjoying every last bit and soaking it all up.”

Sermanni, who earned her first cap for Polkinghorne in 2006 during his first spell as Matildas coach, was thrilled to see the former Brisbane Roar captain retire on her “own terms”.

“It will be a very special evening,” said Sermanni.

“It is not often in elite sport that a player or athlete takes to the stage on their own terms and under such special circumstances.

“If anyone deserves it, it’s ‘Polks.’ We use the word legend very loosely these days, but it describes her.

“She was not only within the team on the field, but also outside the field, when we talk about the team player, the absolute team player.

“Since I’ve been in charge, I’ve been able to play her anywhere and everywhere and she’s just done it brilliantly.

“It will be a fantastic evening and a great end to a fantastic career.”

Thursday night’s game is the first of two games against Brazil for the Matildas, who also face the South Americans on the Gold Coast on Sunday night.

Australia will be without numerous stars, including injured pair Sam Kerr and Katrina Gorry, playmaker Mary Fowler, who withdrew from the squad to “recover mentally and physically”, and midfielder Cortnee Vine, who retired from football has to focus on her “mental health”.

Veteran striker Michelle Heyman also suffers from ankle problems.

“Michelle is a precautionary measure. Her ankle was slightly swollen after the weekend, but she didn’t really have any pain or impingement, but we just wanted to be careful,” Sermanni said.

“With the group we have here, everyone, Touch Wood, is fit and healthy at this point.

“Unfortunately leading up to camp we had seven players unavailable for various reasons, so that was a bit of a challenge.”

However, Sermanni is not looking for excuses and has promised to field the “strongest team” regardless of whether the players have had little time in camp due to hectic schedules at their European clubs.

“This is where I come from – old school,” he said.

“When we ask the players if they want to play, I can guarantee you 100 percent that they want to be out there for 90 minutes.”

Matildas vs Brazil

Thursday, 8pm (local)/9pm (AEDT)

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Watch live on 10 and 10 Play