FFA reschedules Matildas’ Olympic qualifier with China

The Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers will go ahead from next week in Sydney, after hours of talks involving the four competing nations.

Chelsea have agreed to allow Matildas captain Sam Kerr to extend her stay in Australia for the match against China. Picture: Getty Images

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, Football Federation Australia has led efforts to rejig the order of games with places at the Olympics at stake.

Confusion was sewn on Friday by the abrupt cancellation of an FFA press conference and subsequent talks with the government and the sport’s 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 the 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 that has caused a worldwide health alert and killed more than 150 people in China.

The Chinese FA declared on Thursday that their 32 players and staff are in good health and have shown no signs of the disease.

“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 co-operation, 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.”

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH