Hunter product Emily van Egmond is poised to etch her name in the history books, becoming Australia’s most-capped footballer.
The 32-year-old will take the field for the 170th occasion when the Matildas tackle China in the Asian Cup semi-final in Perth on Tuesday 17 March.
It is a far cry from when van Egmond – at the age of five – took her twin brother Max’s place in a local team that their father, former Newcastle Jets mentor and ex- Socceroo Gary, had signed him up for.
Afterwards, there was no stopping the Dudley-Redhead junior.
She debuted in the “green and gold” at just 16 in 2010 and attended the FIFA Women’s World Cup the following season in Germany.
Van Egmond equalled Clare Polkinghorne’s Matildas mark of 169 in the win over North Korea.
However, her main focus against China will be securing the victory.
“I hate talking about myself,” she said.
“It’s obviously really special, it’s something I’m proud of.
“But, to me, the most important thing is to get the job done.”
Australian coach Joe Montemurro was lavish in his praise of van Egmond.
He even revealed she was one of few players who he could have deep and meaningful chats with about the technical side of the sport.
“I said to her the other day, I think you’re one of Australia’s most talented footballers,” he admitted.
“Her football intelligence, her reading of the game, her technique.
“I think she’s one of the best footballers that we’ve produced.
“And, that’s the reason why she’s still an important part of the national team.
“However, the biggest thing is her humility, her ability to understand that the group is more important than the individual.”
Although the Matildas escaped with a 2-1 quarter-final triumph over North Korea on Friday night, it was a match that raised plenty of concerns.
Their rivals enjoyed 62% possession and unleashed 21 shots to four, leaving Australia to rely on mesmerising goals from Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr to steal the win.
A victory over China would secure the Tillies a spot in Saturday’s Asian Cup final against either South Korea or Japan.
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