The Matildas will play a friendly at GMHBA Stadium on December 7
The country’s most popular women’s sporting team will return to Geelong for the first time in more than seven years.
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Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium will host a Matildas clash for the first time in more than seven years.
The Matildas, who captivated the nation with their World Cup performances last year to finish fourth, will play a friendly against Chinese Taipei at Kardinia Park on December 7.
A match will also be played a few days prior at AAMI Park on December 4, with Torquay product and national team member Kyra Cooney-Cross set to play in front of her hometown fans.
It is the first time the national team has played in Geelong since stadium redevelopments.
A crowd of more than 10,000 turned up to Kardinia Park in November, 2017, to watch the Matildas beat China 5-1, 20 weeks out from the Asia Cup.
Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord were in the team that night.
However, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who will be at Kardinia Park on Friday, said the Matildas had “captured our hearts” and it was a tremendous opportunity for local fans to see their heroes up close.
“We cannot wait to welcome them back to Victoria, giving more people the chance to see their heroes play in their own backyard,” Allan said.
Allan will be joined by young players from Corio, Deakin Ducks and Geelong Galaxy on Friday at GMHBA Stadium.
Sports and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the event would be a boon for the local economy.
Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan McClements said the match would be an “international coup” for the city and the state, allowing Victorians to see elite sport in their own backyard.
Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said it would give regional fans a chance to see their heroes.
“Victorians are equally as passionate about football at the grassroots level as they are in their support of our national teams as evidenced by their continual strong turnout for home games,” Johnson said.
The Matildas were knocked out of the Paris Olympics after losing to the US, 2-1 — their first group stage exit since 2000.
Originally published as The Matildas will play a friendly at GMHBA Stadium on December 7
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