Karly Roestbakken is considered one of the lucky ones in the Matildas squad, having last seen her family in August.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Most of her teammates returned to Australia for the first time in more than a year last week, and painstakingly had to interact with their loved ones from a distance on Saturday.
The Canberran returned home to her family in June, after more than a year away, to begin her rehabilitation following foot surgery.
Due to ACT restrictions, her family could not attend the Matildas 3-1 win but her Sydney-based friends were in the crowd.
"It was really nice to have them there, if I can't have my family. It would have been nice if my family could come up but ... it is what it is, you can't really change that," she said.
"All [the players] wanted to do was give their mum and dad or grandparents, or little nieces and nephews, massive hugs and, I guess, talk to them a bit more up close and it is hard to see ... but everyone knew that was going to be the case and they understood it, and I think everyone's just really happy that they are at least able to see them.
"I saw my family a few months ago ... I would have loved for them to be at the game but because I saw them a couple months ago, I'm okay ... and I know how important that is. So I do really feel for the girls that weren't able to have that."
MORE IN CANBERRA SPORT:
Roestbakken returned to the pitch last week with her Norwegian team LSK Kvinner FK, after more than six months away due to her tarsal condition, before she was named in the Australian squad to face Brazil.
She did not take to the field during the Matildas' 3-1 win on Saturday but is hoping it will be different story on Tuesday.
"Everyone's just very keen to get back in and get the win against Brazil again, and make it a really good game for us and for the crowd as well," she said.
"So I'm really, really, really excited for it, I can't wait and hopefully I can get some minutes."
The 20-year-old has seven caps to her name and is being joined by some of her Young Matildas teammates in the senior squad as Tony Gustavsson looks to grow the squad's depth.
With young players such as Kyra Cooney-Cross, Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin, Remy Siemsen, Jamilla Rankin and Bryleeh Henry stepping into the squad.
"I've known Kyra for, I don't even know how many years now, but I'm just so, so proud of them all. Kyra has been doing an amazing job and to see Remy, she's been... working and waiting to get that debut," Roestbakken said.
"When she came on and she did really well and same with ... all the girls that have made their debut, and everyone that's coming up. I'm so proud of them and it's nice to be in camp with them, honestly."
Gustavsson was not giving much away on what team he would field for the side's second game on Tuesday, as he juggles players returning from injury, their playing load and development.
"You're probably going to see a game ... where it's a balance of some consistency and cohesion, to keep working on that, but also making sure that we bet some players," he said.
"There was some good things in our performance, yes, but I also think there were some areas when we were vulnerable, we got dispossessed in some bad areas and the concession game could really hurt us.
"I want to see a team now that steps on the park and show that we can deliver performances, back-to-back, and play with the same intensity, with the same energy, with the same commitment and mindset."