Olympic women’s football qualifiers featuring Matildas, Taiwan, China, Thailand to go ahead
After hours of talks involving the four competing nations, Football Federation Australia has confirmed the Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers will take place in Sydney next week.
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The Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers will go ahead from next week in Sydney, after hours of talks involving the four competing nations, FIFA, European clubs and the Federal Government ended with agreement on a new schedule.
With the Chinese women’s team held in isolation in a Brisbane hotel over potential exposure to the coronavirus epidemic, Football Federation Australia has led efforts to rejig the order of games with places at the Olympics at stake.
Though confusion was sewn on Friday by the abrupt cancellation of an FFA press conference and subsequent talks with the government, the governing body confirmed late in the day that the games will go ahead.
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Australia will now play Chinese Taipei on Thursday next week at Campbelltown Stadium and Thailand the following Sunday at Bankwest Stadium, with an extra matchday added on February 12 when the Matildas will take on China at Campbelltown Stadium in what could be decisive game in the group.
FFA held talks with the Federal Government after the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a global emergency, but officials determined that the new status would not affect the staging of the games.
Clubs including Chelsea and Arsenal agreed to stars such as Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord staying in Australia beyond the close of the international window, a move rubber-stamped by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
The Chinese team will be free to travel to Sydney on Wednesday, assuming none of its members show signs of the coronavirus which has caused a worldwide health alert and killed more than 150 people in China.
“FFA very much appreciates the collaborative approach displayed by everyone to reschedule the Olympic Qualification tournament,” said FFA CEO James Johnson who led the negotiations just weeks after assuming the role.
“I’d like to thank the CFA for their understanding and cooperation, despite the difficult situation their team and staff have found themselves in since arriving in Brisbane.
“FIFA, AFC and the clubs have also been extremely flexible and supportive of the changes to the match schedule.
“As always, the health of everyone involved, from players and officials to the fans and contractors, remains the number one priority.
“This new format allows us to stage these matches with that priority in mind and we now look forward to welcoming all teams and hosting a successful tournament.”
New schedule (prior to Friday)
Matchday 1 – Monday, 3 February 2020
Chinese Taipei v Thailand – 7.30pm (EDT)
Campbelltown Stadium, Leumeah
Matchday 2 – Thursday, 6 February 2020
Thailand v China PR – 4.30pm (EDT)
Chinese Taipei v Australia – 7.30pm (EDT)
Campbelltown Stadium, Leumeah
Matchday 3 – Sunday, 9 February 2020
China PR v Chinese Taipei – 3.10pm (EDT)
Australia v Thailand – 6.10pm (EDT)
Western Sydney Stadium, Parramatta
Matchday 4 – Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Australia v China PR – 7.30pm (EDT)
Campbelltown Stadium, Leumeah
Originally published as Olympic women’s football qualifiers featuring Matildas, Taiwan, China, Thailand to go ahead