The Matildas are expecting a sell out crowd for their do-or-die clash against Japan in the Women’s Asian Cup Final as Australian football’s golden generation seek to break their major trophy drought on home soil.
In the semi finals, the Matildas eked past reigning champions China 2 – 1 to book a blockbuster finale with Japan at Sydney’s Olympic Park on Saturday.
Japan annihilated South Korea in their semi final fixture, winning 4 – 1.
Speaking ahead of the match, defender Ellie Carpenter described how hungry this Matildas squad, which captured the nation’s attention during the 2023 World Cup, is to take the silverware on home soil.
“I said before the game in Perth, this will probably be the last semi final we play on home soil in a major tournament,” Carpenter said.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us, and it is (about) who wants it more tomorrow.
“It’s been 16 years since we lifted that trophy.
“It will be cherry on top for most of the girls, it could be their last tournament with this team, so it’s a big one tomorrow.
“For us footballers, we want to inspire the next generation and we did that at the World Cup, this is another opportunity for us tomorrow.”
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro also expressed the importance of breaking the title drought.
“It’s a real important point for football but also for an amazing generation of players that have an opportunity that they have worked so hard for,” he said.
“For me, I am so excited for them but more importantly for the nation and what it means.”
Carpenter said she heard the final will be a sellout at Sydney’s 83,000 capacity Olympic Stadium.
Crowd numbers became a talking point after the semi final with China when images emerged of swathes of empty seats at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
The reported match attendance was 35,170, which in an oval arena designed to house 60,000 can appear less than flattering.
A scan of the ticketing website for the final on Friday afternoon revealed there are sections with entire rows of seats still available.
One fan who won’t be attending is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who will be in Melbourne at the time of the final.
Mr Albanese sparked controversy at his last sporting appearance when he joined fans in storming the pitch during the celebrations for Alex Johnston’s record breaking NRL try last week.
Montemurro rejected the underdog tag against Japan as his side braces for a tactical affair that will be decided by “who wants it more”.
“There are no favourites in the final,” he said.
“(Japan) seem to find solutions in whatever situation you throw at them.
“As much of a great team as they are, they do have a couple of weaknesses.
“If we find some continuity and some rhythm with the ball we could do some good things in the game.”
The absence of star striker Sam Kerr from Friday’s press conference did not go unnoticed, but Montemurro assured media members the team’s skipper was just sharing the load with her teammates.
“Sam has done a lot of press so I like to think we share the love with that,” Montemurro said.
“Sam is fine, everything is fine and we are ready to go.”
Montemurro said “adaptability” had been the key trait in the Matildas rise during the tournament.
“When we have had our backs against the wall we have changed things slightly and have been able to find a way,” he said.
The festivities for the Asian Cup final will begin just after 7.30pm when Australian singer G Flip takes the stage to rev up the crowd.
The Asian Cup final will kick off at 8pm.
Spectators can expect somewhat drizzly conditions with showers throughout Saturday and a potential thunderstorm in the afternoon.
Fans commuting to the game are urged by Transport NSW to leave their cars at home as traffic threatens to jam up Sydney’s sporting precinct.
In addition to healthy crowd figures for the Matildas, thousands will pack into ENGIE stadium for the AFL clash between GWS Giants and St Kilda.
This should be little issue for ticket holders who have been granted free public transport to the game with their match day pass.
Claiming the Asian Cup would grant the Matildas some much needed momentum ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Originally published as Matildas battle Japan in do-or-die Asian Cup final to chase ‘once in a lifetime’ glory
