THE Matildas will play their last home games for 2024 with a two-match friendly series against Chinese Taipei at Geelong and Melbourne.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Football Australia CEO James Johnson announced that the friendlies will be held at AAMI Park on December 4 and Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium on December 7.
The Matildas last played at Geelong in 2017.
“The Matildas captured our hearts. We cannot wait to welcome them back to Victoria, giving more people the chance to see their heroes play in their own backyard,” Ms Allan said.
Victorian Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos says the government is “backing events that people really care about” and talked up the economic benefits to local communities.
Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements described the games as “another international coup” for the state’s major events calendar
Football Australia CEO James Johnson says the games are a chance for fans to see their players in person.
“Victorians are equally as passionate about football at the grassroots level as they are in their support of our national teams as evidenced by their continual strong turnout for home games,” he says.
“Pleasingly the two-match series will also travel beyond the city to give fans who may not usually get the chance an opportunity to see their beloved Matildas.”
Meanwhile, Football Australia confirmed the appointment of former Matildas mentor Tom Sermanni as the team’s interim coach, effective immediately.
He is the longest serving coach of the team; he coached the team from 1994-1997 and 2005-2012.
Mr Johnson said they were “delighted” to welcome Sermanni back.
“With over three decades of football experience in Australia and internationally, his extensive knowledge of the global women’s football landscape, the local Australian game and his previous success with the team make him the ideal candidate to guide the Matildas through this transitional period.”
The Matildas are preparing for an away game against Olympic bronze medallists Germany on October 29.
