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Matildas' Olympic qualifiers switched to Sydney after virus fears
By Anthony Colangelo and Kathryn Wicks
The Matildas' 2020 Olympic qualifying matches, which were due to be played in China early in February, have been moved to Sydney following an outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.
Australia's national women's soccer team will now play Thailand, China and Chinese Taipei in Sydney given Wuhan, the original host city, is in lockdown. The tournament had previously been moved to Nanjing because of Wuhan's unsuitability.
Matildas coach Ante Milicic speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney on January 21.Credit: AAP
“FFA is happy and willing to organise this Olympic Qualification Tournament, and we look forward to hosting the women’s senior national teams from China PR, Thailand and Chinese Taipei in February," FFA chairman Chris Nikou said.
“The safety of all players, officials and fans is of paramount importance to Football Federation Australia and the Asian Football Confederation, and we are confident we will host a successful tournament here in Sydney.
“I would also like to acknowledge the support of the Australian Government in enabling FFA to host this event at short notice.”
This round of qualifying is scheduled for February 3-9. Four other teams will play in South Korea before the top two teams from each group meet in early March in the final qualifying round.
Three highly regarded teams - Australia, South Korea and China - are vying for two places in the 12-team Olympic competition. Japan have secured their position as hosts and are not competing in Asian qualifying.
North Korea withdrew from qualifying for reasons not divulged.
The Matildas were eliminated in the quarter-finals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio in a penalty shootout with Brazil after failing to qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.
The relocation of the qualifying tournament is not the first time a competition has been moved away from China. In 2003, China was scheduled to host the Women's World Cup, only for the SARS virus to force its relocation to the US.