Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Penrith: In-form Australia are set for two bumper home attendances, as they continue their AFC Women’s Asian Cup preparations by resuming their ongoing rivalry with Brazil next month.
The friendly matches – in Penrith on September 16 and Newcastle three days later – are on track to attract the largest home crowds for the women’s national team in nearly two decades.
The Matildas have not appeared at home since June 2016, and with their Tournament of Nations triumph – which included a 6-1 win over World No.8 Brazil – fresh in the memory, Australian fans have responded in droves.
Sales have been particularly strong for the September 16 clash in Penrith, where fewer than 2000 tickets remain in the 22,500 capacity Pepper Stadium
A crowd of that size would be the largest for a Matildas' match on home soil since 33,600 saw Cheryl Salisbury score in a 1-1 draw with Sweden during the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Matildas coach Alen Stajcic said his team were relishing the chance to play in front of a boisterous home crowd.
“I’m delighted that so many people are taking the chance to see the Westfield Matildas play Brazil but I’m not surprised. We have been playing outstanding football in recent matches and we hope to continue that in Penrith and Newcastle,” Stajcic said.
“We are excited and privileged to continue our rivalry with Brazil after two years of fantastic matches.”
That rivalry has become one of the most dramatic in the global women’s game in recent years as Australia and Brazil took turns in eliminating each other from respective major tournaments at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics.
Australia’s demolition of the South Americans earlier this month – led by The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominee Sam Kerr – was their highest ever margin victory against a side ranked in the world’s top 10.
Following the Brazil series, the next step on their road to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 will be the official draw in December, with the tournament kicking off on April 7.
Australia Squad
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Name Club Caps (Goals) ALLEWAY, Laura Melbourne Victory 49 (2) ARNOLD, Mackenzie Brisbane Roar 14 (0) BUTT, Tameka Klepp I-L, (NOR) 59 (8) CARPENTER, Ellie Canberra United 10 (1) CATLEY, Steph Orlando Pride (USA) 60 (2) COOPER, Caitlin Illawarra Stingrays 8 (1) DE VANNA, Lisa South Melbourne FC 124 (42) FOORD, Caitlin Vegalta Sendai (JPN) 56 (10) GIELNIK, Emily Avaldsnes (NOR) 15 (4) GORRY, Katrina Vegalta Sendai (JPN) 55 (14) KELLOND-KNIGHT, Elise FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER) 83 (1) KENNEDY, Alanna Orlando Pride (USA) 55 (3) KERR, Sam Sky Blue FC (USA) 53 (12) LOGARZO, Chloe Avaldsnes, (NOR) 16 (0) POLKINHGORNE, Clare Brisbane Roar 96 (7) RASO, Hayley Portland Thorns (USA) 19 (1) SIMON, Gema Avaldsnes (NOR) 6 (0) VAN EGMOND, Emily VfL Wolfsburg (GER) 61 (14) WILLIAMS, Lydia Houston Dash (USA) 60 (0) YEOMAN-DALE, Georgia Sydney FC 4 (0) |