Revealed: The one bit of Matildas World Cup merchandise that Aussies can’t get enough of – as sales skyrocket by an incredible 2,650 per cent
Revealed: The one piece of Matildas World Cup merchandise Aussies can’t get enough of – as sales skyrocket by a whopping 2,650 percent
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The wave of support for the Matildas during their stellar run at the World Cup has seen the team sell out some of the country’s biggest stadiums and beat the AFL and NRL when it comes to TV ratings – and now Aussies are going out their roof for one piece of team merchandise.
Figures from online shopping site eBay show that sales of Matildas scarves have increased by an incredible 2650 per cent since the team’s incredible victory over France last Saturday on penalties.
And the skyrocketing demand for Tillies gear doesn’t stop there, with sales of the team’s jersey up 450 percent in the past two weeks, beanies up 225 percent and soccer balls up 50 percent.
Sam Kerr and her teammates have sold out every ground they have played at during the World Cup and their win over Les Bleues in the quarter-finals was watched by 8.8 million Aussies, making it the nation’s biggest hit since Cathy Freeman’s Olympics . 2000.
Aussies can’t get enough of Sam Kerr and her teammates as they secure match tickets and break TV ratings records (pictured, Matildas fans watch last Saturday’s quarter-final against France)
The news of fans clamoring for Matildas scarves comes shortly after the revelations they can’t buy penalty shootout hero goalie Mackenzie Arnold’s jersey.
Arnold saved three penalties as Australia beat France to set up the semi-final against England in Sydney.
But Matildas supporters who want to buy Arnold’s number 18 jersey can’t because the manufacturer hasn’t put them up for sale.
While the home and away strips of all 20 outfield Matilda players are available, goalkeeper jerseys are not for sale.
That means fans looking to buy Arnold’s shirt – or that of team goalkeepers Teagan Micah and Lydia Williams – will have to settle for their name and number on the back of a green and gold or blue jersey.
Sales of Matildas scarves are up a whopping 2,650 percent since they beat Les Bleues in that famous penalty shootout (pictured is a fan watching the quarterfinals)
Matildas diehards are picking up jerseys in droves, but they can’t buy hero goalie Mackenzie Arnold’s number 18 top (pictured)
Conversely, goalkeeper jerseys for men’s teams and both international and club level are available for purchase on both Nike and Adidas websites.
The Matildas are not the only team affected by the issue, as Nike has not made goalkeeper jerseys available for the teams it makes kits for.
“We are working with FIFA and individual federations to determine the range and jerseys for sale based on various factors, including demand in some markets,” a Nike spokeswoman said.
The Nike statement added that a number of new products targeted specifically at female athletes had also been launched.
Adidas has also not made goalkeeper jerseys available for purchase.
A petition highlighting the issue and seeking to persuade Adidas and Nike to change their stance has garnered nearly 40,000 signatures at the time of writing.
Former England international Carly Telford took to social media to point out the absurdity of the situation after three goalkeepers were named Player of the Match in their round of 16 matches.
“I feel like the goalkeepers are taking this issue personally and saying look what you’re missing out on… AND I’M HERE FOR IT,” she tweeted.