Entire Matildas squad left in tears moments before match as Clare Polkinghorne farwelled
It was hard to find anyone without tears in their eyes during Matildas veteran Clare Polkinghorne's farewell tribute on Thursday night, minutes before the match even began.
The defender pulled on the boots for a final farewell game in front of a home crowd at Suncorp Stadium and there was not a dry eye in the house.
Before the Matildas took on Brazil in their friendly, the spotlight was on Polkinghorne, who received a standing ovation and a chorus of cheers as she thanked the crowd before the match.
READ MORE: The question that stumped Hunt after 'messy' Dragons exit
READ MORE: Maxwell's huge 'all-time' call on unplayable Bumrah
READ MORE: Eels adapting to mass changes as post-Gutho era begins
It left almost all of her Matildas teammates in tears, as she was presented a framed guernsey by NRL great Darren Lockyer.
"It's so special for me to be here and celebrate in front of my home fans in a city I grew up in and a stadium I absolutely love," she said.
Clare Polkinghorne with her family and friends before the match. Getty
"This team has been everything to me and it's been a hell of a journey and I'm very thankful for everything.
"Thank you very much and let's get on with it."
By the 62nd minute of the match, Polkinghorne was subbed off to another chorus of cheers and standing ovation.
Matildas teammates were seen crying before the match, during Polkinghorne's farewell. Network 10
She hugged teammates as she exited the pitch and took it all in one last time, where she headed to the bench to be greeted by the rest of the squad and coaching staff.
The Matildas went down to Brazil 3-1.
They'll face off against Brazil again on Sunday night at Cbus Stadium in Queensland.
