The South Australian Government is tipped to announce SA will host a Matildas v Chile friendly at Hindmarsh Stadium
The Matildas are set to play at Hindmarsh Stadium for the first time since 2006, with Sam Kerr tipped to lead Australia against Chile in an international friendly in November.
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The Matildas are coming to town for the first time in 13 years in a potential teaser to Adelaide securing its part in bidding for 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup matches.
Arguably Australia’s favourite national sporting team, which is tipped to feature extremely popular skipper Sam Kerr, is locked in for an international friendly against Chile at Hindmarsh Stadium on November 12, three days after facing the South Americans in Parramatta.
The Chileans also have a unique SA connection after its star player Maria Jose Rojas featured for Adelaide University in the women’s national premier league.
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Rojas aka Cote won Football Federation SA’s golden boot in 2017 and is engaged to Adelaide-based Karlea Williams.
It will be the first time the Matildas will be in Adelaide since 2006.
Premier Steven Marshall confirmed the coup after two weeks ago claiming SA would like to be part of Australia’s 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup and is working for a better deal
“This is thrilling news for our state. We are finally going to have the Matildas back in South
Australia, playing in front of a packed Coopers Stadium,” said Premier Marshall.
“This team is inspiring young women around the nation, and it’s fantastic that we’ll have another opportunity to see some world-class football right here in our state.
“Games like this put our state on the map as a national and international destination and boost our profile.
“This just adds to the suite of incredible sporting events we already have on our calendar in South Australia.
“I can’t wait to see our Matildas take to the field later this year in what’s sure to be a great game.”
Salisbury Inter’s women’s national premier league’s star Emily Condon is hoping she will meet her former Adelaide University teammate on the pitch at Hindmarsh.
Port Pirie-born Condon, 20, earned a maiden Matildas cap against Portugal at the 2018 Algarve Cup in Portugal.
“It’s really exciting, it’s been 13 years, I remember watching the Matildas live but I can’t remember who they played,’’ Condon said as she is preparing for a seventh season with Adelaide United’s W-League side.
“To be called up in front of my home crowd would be a dream come true.
“But to get the chance to play against Cote, I really enjoyed playing in her team and to have her play here for her home country against the Matildas would be great to see.”
The Matilda clash means a new generation of future soccer stars can watch their idols in the flesh.
Salisbury Inter’s juniors Marli Donsberg, 12, and Daisy Drawwater, 9, weren’t born the last time the Matildas came to town in 2006.
Donsberg who has played soccer for two years can’t wait to see Matildas’ super quick winger Ellie Carpenter.
“The experience will be great and I want to become a Matilda one day,’’ said Donsber who also plays netball.
Drawwater is also a Matildas fan especially for superstar Kerr who was rated at the No. 1 woman in Australian sport.
“I really want to see Sam Kerr and I can’t wait,’’ said Drawwater who also plays netball and touch football.
Hindmarsh hosted most of the 20 matches of the AFC women’s Asian Cup in 2006 where the Matildas lost the final in a shootout to China in their seventh game at the venue.
Tickets: Football Family on sale from 10.30am, Tuesday, September 3.
General Public on sale from 10.30am Thursday, September 5
visit www.matildas.com.au for details.