Emily van Egmond is set to make her 170th national team appearance on Tuesday evening, overtaking Clare Polkinghorne to become the most-capped Australian player. Yet the 32-year-old midfielder remains uncomfortable with the spotlight on her personal achievement.
"I hate talking about myself," van Egmond told a room full of journalists in Perth on Monday, laughing at the milestone about to unfold. "That's obviously really special, it's something I'm proud of. But to me the most important thing is to get the job done."
Van Egmond debuted for the Matildas at just 16 in 2010, making her international career almost as long as her life as an adult. "Being part of the team from such a young age and seeing how it's changed and grown has been amazing. From the beginning, the generations of Matildas before us, to the support we saw at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, it has been incredible. It's just been a massive honour," she reflected.
The Australian team has evolved substantially since van Egmond's debut. The W-League (now the A-League Women) started during her time with the Matildas, and van Egmond has built a prominent career abroad, playing professionally across Denmark, Germany, the United States and now England at Leicester City. She has been a presence through eras of change, from early professionalism to the current heights of the Matildas' fanbase.
The semi-final against China PR takes place at Perth Stadium on Tuesday, March 17, with kick-off at 6:00pm AWST or 9:00pm AEDT. China are the reigning AFC Women's Asian Cup champions after beating Korea Republic 3-2 in stoppage time in the 2022 edition of the final. There will be a familiar face in China PR's dugout: former CommBank Matildas head coach Ante Milicic.
Coach Joe Montemurro singled out van Egmond's consistency and football intelligence as the reason for her longevity. "I said to her the other day, 'I think you're one of Australia's most talented footballers', and I still believe her football intelligence, her reading of the game, her technique, she's one of the best footballers that we've produced," he told reporters. "That's the reason why she's been here for so long, and is still an important part of the national team."
Beyond the individual milestone, the Matildas face a selection puzzle. According to ABC News, Steph Catley and Hayley Raso have recovered from concussions and have been given the green light to face China. Catley was injured in the draw with South Korea on March 8, while Raso sustained her concussion on March 5 during the 4-0 win over Iran. However, Montemurro declined to confirm whether they would actually play.
Tactical concerns loom larger than the injury updates. In the quarter-final win over North Korea, the Matildas managed just 40 per cent possession with only four shots compared to North Korea's 21. Montemurro said the team lacked courage in controlling the ball, and he expects a different approach against China, a well-structured and organised side. With a spot in Saturday's final at stake, van Egmond and her teammates will need to prove they can dictate terms against the tournament's defending champions.