Tears after Laini's Matildas call-up

Above: Laini Freier, right, being congratulated by twin sister and fellow Roar star Sharn. Picture: Brisbane Roar

Laini Freier, who played junior and senior football in Moreton Bay, says the last week of her career has been “insane”.

Within a matter of hours on Tuesday, the 23-year-old received her first international call-up and then a contract extension with Brisbane Roar.

Freier will join the Australia team for the SheBelieves Cup, being played in America from February 20-26 against the US, Japan and Columbia.

That completes her stunning rise from Moreton Bay United (now Moreton City Excelsior) in state-level NPLW to the Matildas in just over two years.

Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said it is a “great chance to see if someone can go from that level and step straight into international football”.

The former Pine Rivers State High School student admitted to 10 News First Queensland: “It’s insane.

“It has happened pretty quickly. It (playing for Australia) has always been a dream of mine.

“I called my Mum and she was crying. Called (twin sister) Sharn before (her) surgery and she was so proud.

"She’s always had my back, always believed in me. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for Sharn.”

Sharn Freier made her Matildas debut 10 months ago, but this week had surgery on an ankle injury picked-up playing for Roar.

However, she will still be hoping to join German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg at the end of the Women’s A-League season in late April or May.

That will see the Redcliffe-born twins, who careers started at Pine Rivers United and have followed virtually the same path ever since, on different continents.

Laini is halfway through a stunning breakthrough season in the Women’s A-League scoring seven goals with two assists in 10 appearances for Roar.

“It has been really special playing with my sister at this level and being able to play for my hometown,” she said after signing a two-year contract extension.

“I have obviously been playing in the NPL for a long time and to be able to play in the A-League is something that I have always wanted to do.”