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Australia's most capped footballer Polkinghorne to retire / Photo: © AFP
Australia's most capped footballer Polkinghorne to retire
Australia's most capped player, Clare Polkinghorne, announced her retirement from international football Thursday after a career spanning almost two decades and five World Cups.
The Matildas defender and former skipper will call it quits at the end of the year, with her swansong set to be a home game against Taiwan in December.
She has made 167 appearances so far, spanning five World Cups, five Asian Cups and three Olympics, scoring 16 goals.
"From FIFA Women's World Cups to Olympic Games and Asian Cups, to have worn the Australian badge for over 18 years has been the greatest honour of my life," said the 35-year-old.
"A privilege that I will always treasure and more than I could have dreamed as a six-year-old playing on the football fields of Brisbane."
Football Australia chief James Johnson said Polkinghorne, who made her debut in 2006, would be remembered as one of the country's greatest sportswomen.
"A player and person of great humility, Clare is the epitome of a quiet achiever," he said.
"Her legacy will be in fighting to leave the jersey in a much better place than when she first donned it, and her impact is unmistakable in the incredible progress the Matildas have sparked on and off the pitch.
"This will be her enduring imprint on the game."
Polkinghorne will complete the domestic season with her Swedish club Kristianstads DFF before deciding whether to continue.
B.Turner--SFF
