Lydia Williams is the longest serving Matilda. Now she's bid farewell to the game

Williams has dedicated almost two decades to the sport, debuting with the Matildas when she was just 17.

Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams thanks the crowd in an emotional farewell ceremony. Credit: Matt King/Getty Images

The longest serving Matilda was bid an emotional farewell on Monday night, at the team's friendly pre-Olympics match on home ground.

Lydia Williams began her career as a Matilda at 17, almost two decades ago, debuting in July of 2005 in a friendly match against the Korea Republic in Jeonju.

She played her final game at home on Monday night, claiming victory 2-0 over China at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.

A celebration of Williams' career

Before the game, her teammates, staff, friends and family gave the Noongar woman a guard of honour while her biography was read to the over 75,000 people in attendance.

Trailblazer and tennis legend Evonne Goolagong-Cawley presented Williams a Booka, a kangaroo skin cloak traditionally worn by Noongar people.

The Wiradjuri woman draped the Booka over Williams, which was decorated with the story of Williams and her family.

Lydia Williams, goalkeeper of Australia is presented with a gift from Evonne Goolagong Cawley before the international friendly match between Australia Matildas and China PR at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Credit: Matt King/Getty Images

"To receive that gift from Evonne was just incredible and I think that was probably the moment that tipped me over emotionally," Williams told the crowd.

"I don't know if it's like, game recognises game. It was a lovely moment.

"A lot of sporting women in Australia just want to leave the game better than when they first arrived in it and don't really realise the impact of how they have shaped the culture of not only women's sport, but just Australian sport."

Williams said that receiving the Booka from such "an icon" and a "legend of tennis" was "absolutely, really humbling".

She recognised the significance of the moment for the younger her.

That was kind of a cap off to the kid that grew up in the desert that fell in love with football.

Her teammates unveiled their uniform, which read "Thank You Lyds" - a homage to what the athlete gave to the sport.

Williams took to the field wearing the captain's armband.

Winonah Heatly of Australia warms up before the international friendly match between Australia Matildas and China PR in Sydney, wearing a uniform that pays tribute to teammate Lydia Williams. Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Final moments on the field

Just before half-time, Williams ended her game with coach, Tony Gustavsson, bringing on goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

Williams left the field to a roaring standing ovation.

Tony Gustavsson, Head Coach of Australia hugs Lydia Williams, goalkeeper of Australia saying an emotional goodbye at Williams' last game in Sydney. Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Williams' contributions to the sport were praised by teammate Clare Hunt.

"It was just an awesome celebration of all that she's achieved personally in her career but also for Australian women's football and women's football across the world," Hunt said.

"It's always a privilege to share the field with Lyds.

"She's very old-haired and very mature and very experienced, so it's amazing to be able to be in an environment where you learn from her every single day."

Williams will hang up the goalkeeping gloves in late July after the Paris Games.

Team Australia pose for a group photo before the international friendly match between Australia Matildas and China PR at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Credit: Andy Cheung/Getty Images