Matildas star Ellie Carpenter says the criticism she copped after Australia’s 3-1 Women’s World Cup loss to England comes with the territory of her increasing stature in the national team.
Carpenter was targeted on social media for her mistake that led to England’s crucial second goal, only eight minute after Sam Kerr’s equaliser, at Stadium Australia in the June 16 match.
The 23-year-old right-back reportedly had to limit replies on her social media accounts, wit some of the comments described as “vile, misogynistic garbage” by former Socceroo Craig Foster.
However, France-based Carpenter, who is back in Australia for the Matildas’ 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers in Perth against Iran, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei, said on Tuesday she wasn’t bothered by “outside noise”.
“It doesn’t affect me at all because I did my job for my team and for myself – I don’t really listen to outside noise,” she said.
“I had a great support system around me during that time, during the whole World Cup really.
“The bigger you get, the more criticism you get. That comes with being a professional athlete as well.
“You see it everywhere in different leagues, and different sports as well.”
Carpenter said there had been little time to reflect on the success of the World Cup on home soil such were her commitments with French club Lyon.
“You have your season starting two weeks after the World Cup … we never stop.,” she said.
However, she was heartened by reports that an overall attendance of 100,000 is expected across the three games in Perth, starting with Thursday night’s battle with Iran at HBF Park and including one match – Sunday’s battle with the Philippines – at Optus Stadium.
“It’s been incredible to see the aftermath of the World Cup, and what we’ve done in football in Australia for women,” Carpenter said.
“It just shows what legacy we’ve left post-World Cup. We’re really excited that it wasn’t just for the World Cup, it’s for these games as well.
“It’s nice that we’ve got some more fans, and they’ve stuck with us now. We want to continue making Australia proud.”
It was also announced on Tuesday at the Matildas will play two matches against reigning Olympic Games champions Canada in December in British Columbia.
Carpenter predicted the Canadians would be seeking “revenge” after the Matildas beat them 4-0 in Melbourne during the World Cup.
Football Australia chief executive officer James Johnson said: “We have witnessed the benefits of investing in the team for tournament preparation by securing and scheduling matches against high-ranking nations, and this is a strategy we believe will continue to be advantageous as the team continues their Paris 2024 (Olympics) qualification journey.”