Matildas eye another crowd record with pre-Olympic games against China locked in | OneFootball

The Matildas are looking to set a new attendance record and extend a run of home sell-outs to 14 after teeing up pre-Olympics friendlies against reigning Asian champions China in Sydney and Adelaide.

The fixtures will inform coach Tony Gustavsson’s selection for Paris as he whittles down the squad to just 18 for the team’s campaign for a first-ever Olympic medal.

The Matildas return to South Australia for the first time since 2019 in a clash with China at the Adelaide Oval on 31 May. It will be the first time they have played at the 53,000-capacity venue.

The side then plays the same opponent in Sydney on 3 June at Accor Stadium in Sydney, marking a return to the venue of their World Cup semi-final defeat.

By then it will have been almost 10 months since England got the better of the host nation in front of more than 75,000 fans.

Accor Stadium’s capacity was reduced for the World Cup due to expanded media seating and Fifa requirements for sight-lines that meant seats behind the goals were left unsold.

Normal capacity at the old Olympic Stadium is more than 80,000 which, if filled, would set a new record for a Matildas attendance.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson said the Matildas had become “a box office entertainment juggernaut” over the past 12 months.

“Our senior national teams are Australia’s teams, and it is important we play matches in as many cities and regional centres as possible, and we are thrilled that the next set of Matildas’ home matches we will continue to open the door for all Australians to connect and witness the team live,” he said.

The two matches follow a friendly with Mexico in Texas on 9 April local time, 10am AEST the following day.

Tuesday’s announcement was overshadowed by news that Sam Kerr, who is currently out of action as she recovers from a knee injury, has pleaded not guilty in the UK to charges of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

Kerr is expected to go to trial in February next year. The trial is due to last four days. A statement from Football Australia said it was “aware of the legal proceedings involving Sam Kerr in the United Kingdom”.

“As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time,” it added. “Our focus remains on supporting all our players, both on and off the field. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as appropriate.”

After the Matildas defeated Uzbekistan 13-0 across two legs to reach the Paris tournament, coach Tony Gustavsson indicated the team for the Olympic lead-up matches would be mostly full strength.

“There’s limited minutes to prepare the core group of players that I know is going to go to the Olympics and they need the games,” he said. “But maybe I also need to look at a few players to make decisions, so finding that sweet spot on that balance is going to be key.”

The side’s first ever match at South Australia’s largest venue highlights the progress the side has made since its last appearance in the state. That night in November 2019, Emily Gielnik scored in a 1-0 friendly win over Chile.

The 10,342 attendance was the largest to watch a women’s football international in Adelaide. The figure is set to be obliterated in May given the side’s recent popularity.

The Matildas’ run of sell-outs goes back to the pre-World Cup match against France in Melbourne in July last year.

If both matches reach capacity, it will mean every ticket available for a home Matildas match across a period of more than 12 months has been sold.

The Paris Olympics commence at the end of July, and the draw for the 12-team tournament will be held on 20 March.

China failed to qualify for the Olympics, but have won the Women’s Asian Cup nine times, more than any other side. They were again named champions at the last tournament, in India in 2022, after Australia lost to South Korea in the quarter-finals.

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