The Matildas broke the attendance record for a women’s football match in Australia on Saturday, a historic silver lining after a disappointing result.
Given the combination of recent form, apprehension about crowds post-COVID-19 and miserable weather conditions in Sydney, a record crowd is a brilliant accomplishment.
A total of 36,109 was the official attendance, showing that the appetite for women’s football – with the 2023 World Cup just around the corner – is well and truly alive in the host nation.
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Large chunks of Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium are already sold out, as well, so you’d expect another huge attendance in three days’ time.
Despite the result the event can largely be considered a success.
The Wiggles knocked it out of the park with the national anthem, and it didn’t take long for those who played in the game to voice their appreciation for the support.
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As for the match itself, there was a glorious 15-minute period before half-time where Australia essentially played the Americans off the park.
If not for the heroics of USA keeper Casey Murphy and a horrific miss from Kyah Simon, they could have been level, if not ahead in the contest.
If they can sustain that level of performance for longer periods, results against the heavyweights that fans had become accustomed to over the past few years can return – and perhaps Tony Gustavsson’s team can use that brief pocket of dominance as fuel for Tuesday night’s rematch.
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