The Matildas will come face to face with the team that controversially booted them out of the Rio Olympics when they host Brazil in two friendlies this September.
Alen Stajcic’s national women’s side will play Marta and company at Penrith’s Pepper Stadium on September 16 and Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on September 19.
The two-match series, which will double as preparation for next April’s Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan, will fall weeks after Australia clash with Brazil at the Tournament of Nations in the US.
Australia, currently world No.7 – one place above Brazil – suffered a gut-wrenching penalty shootout loss to the Olympics host nation in last year’s quarter-finals.
The finale was doused in controversy when Brazil goalkeeper Barbara was caught running off her line early to make crucial penalty saves.
“A great rivalry and a healthy respect has developed over the past few years between our two teams,” Stajcic said.
“We knocked them out of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but they defeated us at the Olympics.
“It will be a tough challenge for us against some of the best players in the world.
“Brazil has definitely been one of the benchmark nations in world football and we are looking forward to meeting them on home soil again.”
Waz
Guest
The failure is all the FFA's - if we continue to follow this current strategy of only caring about how much state governments pay to stage games then the next logical extension is to see the FFA Cup and Grand Final sold to the state that bids the highest. And football fans won't be able to complain because we're already supporting the concept.
Waz
Guest
I'm pleased a game is in Newcastle, especially against fantastic opponents. And there's no doubt that there aren't enough games to go around Australia even if you combine all the representative sides and certain big games are always going to be sent to the big Cities. I just feel like the ffa don't have a plan to grow the game nationally and understand what part geographic visits from national teams can play, especially in motivating kids towards the sport. I hear this "maybe your state government should put up the money then" statement but it's not a state governments job to grow the game nationally, it's the FFAs. And even then, qld was outbid (again) for the latest Socceroos game so even when they do "bid" it's unpalatable that money comes before the good of the national game. Plenty of posters on this site like to taunt AFL and NRL that they are only popular in 2 states while football is popular in all/most of them, the current ffa strategy is repeating the mistakes those codes made and as all the ffa care about is money it won't be long before the FFA Cup final and Grand Final are sold off to the highest bidder as well.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Waz, I'm certainly happy a game is in Newcastle :mrgreen: Not sure on the logistics and how the FFA 'shop around' Matilda's games to offset costs but perhaps as Caltex says, maybe state governments could do more if it's up to them to ultimately woo the FFA in hosting a game. As far as I'm concerned Newcastle doesn't get enough national team games, of any sort, than it does. ? ⚽
Caltex Ten & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
We need some of these fixtures played in regional Australia. The Matildas would have been a wonderful sporting event on the back of the recent success of the world championship boxing match held in Brisbane. A perfect arena for the Matildas v Brazil would have been Robina stadium, Gold Coast---what in the hell is wrong with this Queensland state government?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
:) I agree, I'd love to see these games shared around a bit.
Waz
Guest
Thank god both games are in NSWs !!!
Ken Spacey
Guest
Good to see the girls in action. They need to be visible and keep a high profile in this crowded market.