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<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Tomorrow, the Matildas will captivate the nation when they meet Asia\u2019s powerhouse team, Nadeshiko Japan, in the AFC Women\u2019s Asian Cup final. Looking back to the Matildas\u2019 semifinal loss to England \u2013 a match remembered as much for its record-breaking viewership as the result \u2013 it is set to be an exciting night in Australian sporting history.<\/p>\n
Western Sydney University\u2019s Emeritus Professor David Rowe weighs in ahead of the kick off.<\/p>\n
Emeritus Professor David Rowe, Institute for Culture and Society<\/p>\n
\u201cIronically, the louder lamentation that politics should be kept out of sport, the greater the evidence of its impossibility. By far the biggest story so far of the AFC Women\u2019s Asian Cup 2026 has been the offer of asylum<\/a> in Australia to Iranian women footballers and support staff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow that the Matildas have reached Saturday\u2019s final in Sydney, they are attracting more attention to the field of play. In football parlance, the Matildas have \u2018grown into the tournament\u2019 after uninspiring wins against the Philippines and Iran, and a draw against Korea Republic that cost them top spot in their group and a long return trip to Perth. They were outplayed yet grittily overcame Korea DPR in the quarter-finals, and slogged out a win by the same 2-1 scoreline against Cup holders China PR in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n \u201cNow the Matildas must defeat Nadeshiko Japan, Asia\u2019s top team and by far the most impressive in the matches leading up to the final, easily defeating Korea Republic 4-1 in their previous game. And yet, any seasoned football watcher knows that outcome uncertainty is the essence of Cup contests.<\/p>\n \u201cIn their last game, the Matildas defeated a China PR team led by their former coach and Socceroo Ante Milicic. One of Japan\u2019s assistant coaches is Leah Blayney<\/a>, who has played and coached for Australia.\u00a0 Such situations re-open a debate often heard in lounge rooms and pubs: should national teams only be coached by their own nationals<\/a>?\u00a0 In the global game win percentages tend to resolve the matter.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough far from the frenzied<\/a> FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup days of 2023, this is the biggest game for the Matildas \u2013 and one of the biggest sporting moments in Australia \u2013 since their semi-final loss to England\u2019s Lionesses<\/a> in the Olympic Stadium in front of almost 76,000 noisy football fans and Australia\u2019s largest ever<\/a> television audience.<\/p>\n \u201cA Matildas victory would cement their prime place in Australia\u2019s sporting landscape, and should give a desperately needed fillip to the women\u2019s game at club level<\/a>. A bitter lesson for football teams the world over is that, without a solid pyramid from the grass roots to clubs to national teams, periodic flashy international tournaments cannot sustain the national game\u2019s overall health<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBut first many eyes will be on the Matildas\u2019 opportunity to win a major trophy at home and make a sizeable down payment on the future of women\u2019s football in Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n ENDS.<\/p>\n 20 March 2026
Media Unit
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