Matildas fans divided over plans for a major change to the World Cup stars’ home game as Sam Kerr and her teammates chase their Olympic dream
- Olympic qualifiers for Matildas could be moved to Optus Stadium
- Currently scheduled to be played at boutique HBF Park in Perth
- Talks about the possible location shift have divided football fans online
- WATCH: ‘It All Begins’ – Episode 2 – The brand new football show from Mail Sport
Football Australia is considering moving Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers to a larger stadium in October due to anticipated demand for tickets following the World Cup success of Tony Gustavsson’s squad.
Sam Kerr and her teammates will play against Iran, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei at the 22,000 capacity HBF Park boutique hotel in Perth.
But after they reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, there is speculation that the matches could be moved to the Optus Stadium, which can hold 60,000 fans.
FA boss James Johnson said he is ‘not afraid to make those kinds of decisions’, with the Matildas currently the hottest sporting ticket in town.
“You’re weighing up a smaller audience (at HBF Park) that’s potentially going to have a great experience because we’re in the right type of stadium for a football game, against potential access and the community’s ability to come and watch the team live” , he said.
Football Australia is considering moving Matildas Olympic qualifiers to a larger stadium in October due to expected ticket demand (pictured, captain Sam Kerr)
The Matildas captured the hearts of the Australian public after progressing to the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil
Some fans oppose the proposed move, citing the atmosphere generated in a smaller venue.
“I beg everyone at Football Australia not to move the Olympic Games qualifiers from HBF to Optus. Optus would be a disaster for the atmosphere and hype buildup after the World Cup. No, please don’t,” said one supporter.
“It’s an opportunity to show how special football can be when you use its strengths (rectangular stadiums and atmosphere) instead of focusing on a boring sugar hit, resulting in yet another forgettable night out in our busy sports landscape.’
Alternatively, another supporter felt that hosting the games at HBF Park would be ‘barrow’ and that the code on Australian shores will not grow if there is no opportunity to embrace new waves of fans in larger venues.
The Matildas have also not played in Perth since 2018, so tickets are expected to be snatched up quickly by eager fans in Kerr’s hometown.
HBF Park in Perth (pictured) seats 22,000 fans, compared to 60,000 spectators at Optus Stadium
Meanwhile, Gustavsson has confirmed he has no plans to coach elsewhere amid reported demand from the USWNT.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski retired after the tournament favorites, in the eyes of many, did not get further than the round of 16.
“I love working with this (Australian) team,” said Gustavsson. “It appeals to me as a coach.
‘I see it as the beginning of a journey. But I also want to be very clear that I want to see investments now. Really and truly.
“And I mean real investments, so that it shows that we are serious about what we do.”