'Just a bit of a sore nose': Ellie Carpenter on THAT falcon

Australians have a soft spot for a sporting falcon, and this was up there with the best.

Or worst - if you're Ellie Carpenter that is.

But few have shrugged off an accidental blow to the head as impressively as the teenage superstar.

READ: How the Westfield Matildas can win the Tournament of Nations

REPORT: Late heartbreak for Westfield Matildas

STAJCIC: Head Coach upbeat despite last-gasp equaliser

The Australian fullback was collected flush on the face as she charged down a clearance from USA defender Crystal Dunn in the Westfield Matildas' 1-1 stalemate with USA on Monday morning.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all. It did hurt a lot in the moment but I was fine after and carried on," Carpenter told www.matildas.com.au.

"Just a bit of a sore nose but that’s about it."

After a brief consultation, Carpenter shrugged off the incident and played a stellar match against American veteran Megan Rapinoe.

The 18-year-old's gritty professionalism has had some comparing the incident with the antics of Brazilian star Neymar.

Carpenter has seen the viral video, and says the contrasts between her and the Paris Saint Germain forward are 'cool and a bit funny'.

"I’m pretty sure it’s gone a bit viral – that’s funny to see that next to each other, me compared to him," she said.

Alen Stajcic's side came so close to pulling off a second remarkable result against the world superpower at the Tournament of Nations but for Lindsey Horan's dramatic late equaliser.

WATCH THE WESTFIELD MATILDAS TAKE ON REIGNING AFC ASIAN CUP CHAMPIONS JAPAN AT 7.45AM AEST ON FRIDAY 3 AUGUST, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 505.

Just as she did on Monday morning, the Cowra local will be picking herself back up for Australia's crunch match with Japan on Friday morning.

The Portland Thorns defender says Australia cannot afford to linger on Monday morning's disappointment and will be fixed on exacting revenge on the Asian heavyweights, who defeated the Westfield Matildas in the Asian Cup Final in April.

“We were unlucky to concede but I think overall it was one of our best performances and I think it says a lot about us as a team and us as a defensive unit," said Carpenter.

"We can’t dwell on our past results and we know that we played a good performance against them we just didn’t get the goals.

"But we know if we kick on from the game and play the best that we can play, that will come out in the result.

"I think there will be a bit of revenge on Thursday which all the girls are really pumped to play and get that revenge back on that defeat.

"But if we focus on us and play good football then the result will come."

Westfield Matildas v Japan
Date: Thursday, 2 August 2018 (local)
Venue: Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois
Kick-off: 4.45pm (local) (7.45am AEST – Friday, 3 August 2018)
Broadcast: LIVE in Australia on FOX SPORTS 505 and the My Football Live app

Ellie Carpenter