Veteran Clare Polkinghorne has called time on an impressive international career, the defender announcing her retirement from the Matildas on Wednesday evening.
She will officially retire in December after Australia plays Brazil in her hometown of Brisbane.
Currently playing her club football in Sweden at Kristianstads DFF, Polkinghorne holds the Matildas appearance record with 167 caps and is unlikely to be caught anytime soon, with Emily van Egmond the closest active player on 144 appearances.
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She debuted for the national team in 2006, and was in the Australian squad for five straight Women’s World Cup campaigns from 2007 until 2023, when the showpiece event in women’s sport was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The 35-year-old finishes up her playing career with one major trophy, the 2010 Asian Cup with the international game’s biggest prize proving to be elusive for Polkinghorne and Australia after an impressive run to the semi-finals in 2023.
Kristianstads DFF sit fourth on the Damallsvenskan league table with five games to go in the campaign.
Polkinghorne will work towards attaining her coach’s licence as her playing career winds down.
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