After helping Chile qualify for its first FIFA women’s World Cup next year, Cote dreams of facing the Matildas in Hindmarsh
AFTER a 12-year hiatus, the SA Government is lobbying to host the Matildas in Adelaide. And in music to the ears of adopted Chilean star Maria Jose Rojas ‘Cote’, Chile is in the box seat after qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
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CHILEAN star Maria Jose Rojas ‘Cote’ dreams of facing the Matildas at Hindmarsh this year has put ambitions of having a baby and marrying SA-based partner Karlea Williams on hold.
The Matildas last played at Hindmarsh in 2006 when it finished runner-up at the AFC women’s Asian Cup in the final in front of about 5000 fans.
Cote helped Chile qualify for its first FIFA women’s World Cup next year, starring in the nation’s campaign at the recent Copa America Femenina where it finished runner-up.
More than 18,000 fans — a lockout at Chile’s Estadio La Portada — saw Chile breaking barriers down for women in South American soccer before belting Argentina 4-0 to qualify for France.
“Things have changed we did think about having a baby but now it’s all about getting ready for the World Cup,’’ Cote said from Japan where she is featuring for Orca Kamogawa.
“Not getting to the World Cup would have made things different but now we’re going to the World Cup and of course it’s all about soccer until next year in July.
“I’m hoping Chile play against Australia in November,’’
“They are talking about it in Chile.
“Back home fans were waiting for tickets all night before the match against Argentina, they slept outside to get them first.”
A Football Federation Australia official confirmed Chile had been approached for a friendly.
With Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway claiming the state Liberal Government will boost the Events Bid Fund to $40 million over four years, SA has a strong case to win the Matildas after a 12-year hiatus.
Ridgway said Events SA are communicating with FFA.
“I understand that Events SA are in regular communication with the FFA and always looking at opportunities to secure more football content, whether it’s the Socceroos or Matildas,’’ he said.
“If an opportunity presents itself to host the Matildas in the near future at either Adelaide Oval or Hindmarsh Stadium we would assess it then.”
Now Cote is also hoping to win a W-League contract after featuring prominently in SA’s women’s NPL for Adelaide University where she had been outstanding until 2017 after being granted a distinguished talent visa — one of the hardest Australian visas to obtain in 2016.
She came close to earning a deal with Adelaide United but with Chile now playing in the same World Cup as Australia, Cote’s W-League stocks will be rising rapidly.
She has now played soccer in Chile, Japan, Australia, Germany, US and Lithuania.
“I hope I can really get a chance to show them in the W-League,’’ Cote said.
“I really want to come back ... I love Australia.”
Cote’s historic feat with Chile has also seen the nation step up its campaign to give its women soccer players a much more comfortable existence.
However, the deal is not quite as good as the Matildas’ with star Sam Kerr a fine example of a player who is likely to earn more than $100,000 through club deals and national team payments.
“Our football association is working with the government to increase pay and to help women’s football develop,’’ Cote said.
“We’re expecting something reasonable, I like what Australia is doing by contracting Matildas whereas we get paid about $US100 for a night we stay away from home.”
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