Beneath the wreckage of the Matildas’ shocking and historic loss to Japan on Monday, a true story of courage emerged.
With Australia getting smashed 3-0 by Japan in the opening match of the SheBelieves Cup in the United States, en-route to an historic 4-0 drubbing, interim coach Tom Sermanni had to make changes.
He made five of them, emptying out his bench in a desperate attempt to turn the match around.
While all eyes were on the surprise benching of strike weapons Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foorde, a forgotten Matilda making her way onto the pitch could prove to be a turning point for the national side in the future.
Holly McNamara, 22, was pitched into the fray by Sermanni after a shocking run of injuries.
The young striker, once lauded as the next Sam Kerr, has endured three consecutive ACL tears that have wrecked her chances to make her mark with the Matildas.
Australian Matildas striker Holly McNamara runs down the ball in her return to the national side after 1119 days out through knee injuries
The Melbourne City striker is one of the rising stars of Australian football and could have a big career with the Matildas if her knee can hold up
And while she was not able to get on the scoreboard on her return, the mere fact she is on the pitch is courageous in its own right.
‘It was a tough afternoon for the CommBank Matildas in their first SheBelieves cup match,’ the A-Leagues official social media account posted.
‘But it was still a special moment for Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara who made her first international appearance in 1119 days.’
Devastated Matildas fans were able to see the positive as well, despite the result on the scoreboard.
‘Only positive of the Matildas performance today was that Holly McNamara is back,’ one fan posted.
‘Happy for Holly McNamara’s return,’ added another.
The striker endured her first injury at just 15.
Her third occurred in November 2023, only days after her recall to the Matildas squad.
McNamara has been likened to a young Sam Kerr, with the Matildas also missing their former skipper because of an ACL tear
The devastating setback forced her to watch from the sidelines as City claimed the title, secured a spot in the Asian Women’s Champions League, and left her wondering what might have been had she made the Matildas squad for the Paris Olympics.
‘They’re never quite easy but this one’s been a little bit difficult with a different kind of graft used and a few setbacks along the way, but it’s on the up now and I’m looking forward to getting back out there,’ McNamara said in late 2024.
‘It is always difficult when you want to do something and you’re not allowed to or you physically can’t – it was hard but I’m so proud of the girls for winning the premiership last year.
‘We’ve been watching the games back here and we’re so proud of what they’ve done, they have really taken everything that we’ve done during pre-season and put it out on the pitch.’
But she admitted giving up the game she loves never crossed her mind.
‘The first game back is always the best because you finally get to play,’ McNamara said.
‘I think for the whole 10 and half months so far I just want to be back out there – I think every day is the same vision, same thoughts – I just want to play again.’
