Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers: Incredible level of support for Australians revealed as team touches down in Perth for three games

The Matildas are set to pull another 100,000 fans through the turnstiles in Perth this week. And that, writes ELIZA REILLY, would add to an already remarkable tally.

Matildas closing in on milestone

The Matildas are poised to attract more than 100,000 fans through the gates in Perth over the next ten days and, in the process, pass a crowd milestone that seemed barely believable a year ago.

The Australian women’s national team has drawn a total crowd of 488,198 from 11 games in 2023 at an average of 44,382. The Matildas’ Olympic qualifier against Iran at HBF Park on Thursday should see them break through the half million barrier for the calendar year, further cementing their status as Australia’s favourite national sports team.

Australia’s three Olympic qualifiers in Perth are virtually sold out.

After the Iran fixture, the Tillies take on the Philippines at Optus Stadium on Sunday - a game that was moved to the 60,000-capacity stadium due to overwhelming demand - followed by a return to HBF Park to host Chinese Taipei next Wednesday.

It’s a far cry from the last time the Matildas, led by home-grown hero Sam Kerr, played in Perth when just 7,549 fans attended a 5-0 defeat of Thailand back in 2018.

Matildas’ mania has well and truly set in since then.

The Matildas’ Olympic qualifier against Iran on Thursday should see them break through the half million barrier for the calendar year. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

The Tillies have played to eight straight sell-outs at home, which should stretch to at least 11 if early ticket sales in Perth are any indication. The Australians began the year with a Cup of Nations clash against Czechia that drew 7,702 to Gosford, followed by crowds of 17,333 and 9,093 for games against Spain (Parramatta) and Jamaica (Newcastle) respectively.

Then came the crowd explosion. A massive 50,629 attended the Tillies’ final World Cup warm-up game against France at Marvel Stadium before a run of seven straight sell-outs as the Matildas’ advanced to the World Cup third-place play-off for the first time in their history.

The Matildas’ average attendance this year of 44,382 compares favourably with those of the AFL (37,683), NRL (19,186) and every other major sporting team and league in the nation.

Then there are the television ratings. An unprecedented 11.15 million Australians watched the Matildas’ heartbreaking semi-final loss to England, making it the most-watched TV program since the current ratings system began. That’s more than double the 4.88 million people who watched the team’s World Cup opener against Ireland.

Veteran midfielder Emily van Egmond said it was hard to believe how far the Matildas had come this year, let alone in the five years since the team last played in WA.

“It’s amazing. If you would’ve asked us five years ago if that was possible, I don’t think anyone would’ve said yes,” she said. “The fact we’re sitting here now, five years on is amazing.

“The fact that young girls and boys get to come out and see their national team perform on home soil is great.

“The World Cup was something special. Once that was over, we all had to enjoy it in our own ways. But to be able to come back together again and see the hype, it’s amazing that the Australian public is getting behind this team so I hope it continues.”

Emily Van Egmond at Matildas training on Monday. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

The Matildas, six of whom have arrived in Perth ahead of the Olympic qualifiers, spent Monday morning training at WA’s new $46 million State Football Centre. The state-of-the-art facility is one of the many World Cup legacies.

“It’s massive for football in Australia … seeing how much has been invested and the resources we’ve obviously been able to gather for the sport,” van Egmond said. “It’s been massive.

“We’re fortunate and lucky to be part of a generation where it’s continuing to grow. I hope we keep going on the upward trajectory with it.”

The remaining 17 squad members are set to arrive in the coming days.

Most are now household names.

And one transcends football entirely.

“I dare say when Sam Kerr lands it’s going to be a frenzy for her,” van Egmond said. “I won’t be walking with her to any coffee shops.

“The public has been amazing. If we can give back in any sort of way to the younger generation, this group of girls, there’s no better group.

“We’re all as excited as everyone else to be here at home and play in front of our amazing fans.”

Originally published as Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers: Incredible level of support for Australians revealed as team touches down in Perth for three games