In March 2016, Ellie Carpenter became the first player born in the new millenium to play international football for Australia. Five years on, her stratospheric rise in the game has seen her become one of the most crucial linchpins in a Matildas side still finding its feet under new coach Tony Gustavsson.
A 2-1 win over Vietnam in March last year secured their spot at the Tokyo Olympics, but the Australian women have struggled for consistency since a lengthy lay-off due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the 1-0 defeat by Olympic hosts Japan in a warm-up match during the week means they are now winless in their past five matches.
While Gustavsson continues to tinker with a Matildas squad headlined by superstar Sam Kerr, Carpenter is proving herself a versatile and reliable performer at both ends of the park -- equally adept in defence as she is at causing havoc down the wing in attack.
The right-back might be the fifth-youngest member of this squad but she is already a seasoned veteran with an enviable CV, and her experience on the big stage will be vital to a side facing a challenging Olympic group stage that includes the World No.1-ranked United States.
Carpenter's preparation hasn't been all smooth sailing though.
When the Matildas convened for their first camp under Gustavsson in April, Carpenter was forced to remain in France after contracting COVID-19 while on duty with her club side, Lyon.
"It's not great -- I wouldn't wish it upon anyone," Carpenter told ESPN about the symptoms of the virus.
"Obviously with a pandemic around the world it's quite hard not to catch it if you're living in Europe".
The Australians were back in action after more than 400 days without a competitive match, and Carpenter said it was tough watching as a ruthless Germany scored five goals -- with the drubbing repeated by The Netherlands four days later.
"I was watching on at home," Carpenter told ESPN.
"It's never nice to watch that many goals go in, but, obviously, new coach, first time, and we had a lot of absences and hadn't been together for over a year, so I think we've definitely come so far since those two games."
Carpenter said the 10 goals conceded in those first two hit-outs meant the defence had come under more scrutiny, but the focus had become an incentive for improvement.
"I think that's a bit of motivation for us to say, 'Come on then, let's go -- bring it. We know our jobs now, and that's our goal every game to get a clean sheet.'
"Us defenders are more than ready".
Returning to the pitch for the match against Denmark, Carpenter made an instant impact picking up a Player of the Match gong in her 90-minute shift.
Subsequent friendlies against Sweden and Japan failed to yield a positive result for the Matildas, but Carpenter was again a standout and she is in fantastic form heading into her second Olympics, and she hopes to help the team to a podium finish in Japan.
"I have a very different feeling to five years ago," she told ESPN.
"I was very young and inexperienced back then.
"Now I would feel that I have plenty more experience under my belt, and I feel like I can give a lot more to the team... having that experience of going to an Olympic Games and knowing what it's all about and the pressure, I think I'm more than ready for it this time."
Carpenter's second Olympic team selection is just the latest in a string of accolades in a stunning run that began when she made her debut for Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia's W-League at the age of 15.
The following year, she was not only the youngest Australian competitor selected for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but also, at 16, the youngest female footballer to compete at an Olympics.
The records started to stack up when a move to Canberra United saw her pick up consecutive W-League Young Footballer of the Year awards in 2018 and 2019, bookending a debut season with Portland Thorns in the U.S., where she became the youngest player in NWSL history, and the youngest scorer in the league's history with a matchwinner against Washington Spirit 10 days later.
After making her World Cup debut in France in 2019, a move to Melbourne City saw Carpenter win her first silverware as the club claimed the Premiership/Championship double while she also picked up a third consecutive Young Footballer of the Year award.
Carpenter jetted off to Europe when Lyon snared her signature through to 2023, a little apprehensive but certain it was the right move.
"It was a challenge going there and not knowing anyone, not knowing anything about the team really," Carpenter said.
"The language -- it was a bit scary for me -- definitely out of my comfort zone -- but for me it was the best decision I've ever made in my career. I'm so glad I did it because I've grown so much as a person as well."
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The French experiment has paid off in spades, with Lyon winning both the Coupe de France and the UEFA Champions League in 2020, and Carpenter earning herself a spot in the French Division 1 Féminine Team of the Season after her first full season with the club.
It's been an incredible ride for the kid from Cowra in Central West New South Wales who, at only 21 years old, has so many career highlights that she struggles to pick a standout.
"I'd would have to say probably winning the Champions League and being with Lyon," she said.
"I think for me it's been such an amazing experience already and I think I've grown just being there for just a year.
"I really love it there, and for my football it's been really good for me and the experiences I've already had have been amazing".
An Olympic medal is the next target.
Asked if she'd prefer a Gold medal in Tokyo to a World Cup trophy in 2023, Carpenter declared she wants the lot.
"Such a hard question -- I'd have to say both," Carpenter laughed.
"Why not?
"If we can have the opportunity of getting both then I want both.
Winning a medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not be easy, but Carpenter declares the Matildas are ready for kick off ahead of the opening Group G match against New Zealand just under a week away.
"Obviously we have a very tough group but I think that's the best thing for us," she said.
"We have to beat the best to get out and win the thing, so I think that first game it's so important for us to win that. We know that as a team to get three points going into the second match will be so important for us.
"We're ready and we're so excited."