Well, in the interests of transparency, I am not physically in Newcastle, but the chilly Southern Highlands bureau. And if we are to be fastidious, neither are the fans streaming through the gates of a sold-out McDonald Jones Stadium. Technically, they are in Broadmeadow, a 13-minute drive from Newy proper.
The estimated population of Broadmeadow is fewer than 1800. Tonight, however, it will swell to near 30,000. Why? The Matildas are in town, of course. They are back in Australia for the first time since March’s devastating Asian Cup final loss to Japan, and keen to start a new chapter looking only ahead towards the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
They have, of course, played since then, beating Malawi and Kenya 5-0 and 2-0 respectively in April’s FIFA Series. But Mexico, their opponent for this two-match friendly series (they also meet on Tuesday night at Sydney’s Commbank Stadium), present a stiffer challenge. Coach Joe Montemurro has said he believes Mexico, undefeated in 15 games, are better than their world No.28 ranking suggests and offer a valuable “strategic” test for his 15th-ranked Matildas.
“They’re definitely a top 20 team,” Montemurro said during Friday’s pre-match press conference. “The [Mexican] league is growing, and there’s a lot of investment, so they’re a top, top team. Their ranking doesn’t mimic where I believe they should be. They’re a tidy team technically, and even structurally they’re very good.”
Let’s see, shall we? I’ll be with you throughout the game, and the good Frances Howe is on the ground in Newcastle (correction: Broadmeadow) for match coverage.
Kick-off 7.15pm AEST.
