Jubilee Stadium will host the opening double-header of the inaugural Cup of Nations, a warm-up tournament for next year’s women’s World Cup.
Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Korea Republic will make up the four-nation tournament comprising three double-header match days across three states over a week starting in late February.
The quartet of countries have all qualified for the women’s World Cup in France starting in June. The tournament will provide valuable preparation as the Matildas look to become Australia’s first football world champions.
Kogarah will play a vital part in the tournament, hosting the opening match day at Jubilee Stadium on February 28.
Argentina will face Korea Republic in the first match before Australia take on New Zealand.
Australia’s clash with the Kiwis takes on extra significance, with 2019 marking 40 years since the Matildas played their first ‘A’ international match.
Australia took on New Zealand at Sutherland in 1979, with the 2019 fixture enabling the FFA to honour and celebrate the anniversary of the original match close to where it was played.
There will be two following match days in Brisbane and Melbourne.
FFA CEO David Gallop said he was delighted football fans had the chance to farewell the Matildas before their World Cup campaign.
“We’ve been working towards hosting a four-nation tournament in Australia for some time and it’s great to finally unveil what we plan on becoming a regular feature of the Australian sporting calendar,” Gallop said.
“We’ve seen the success of other competitions such as the Tournament of Nations in the USA and they’ve helped inspire and inform the creation of the Cup of Nations.
“The Cup of Nations will present football fans in Australia’s three biggest cities with the opportunity to farewell the Westfield Matildas ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as get a taste of the international football festival that awaits in France.
“All four sides will be aiming for success at the World Cup and we expect the quality of the six matches to be world-class.
“The opportunity to honour the 40th anniversary of the Matildas’ first ‘A’ international fixture will make the New Zealand match in Sydney a special occasion for the first generation of Matildas who made the sacrifices and laid the foundations for success the team enjoys today.”
Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic, who recently returned from the women’s World Cup draw in Paris, said playing three matches against high quality international opponents ahead of the tournament would be great for his team.
“Korea Republic, Argentina, and New Zealand will each offer different challenges for our side which will be fantastic preparation for our group leading up to the tests that await in France,” Stajcic said.
“With a match against the United States also set down for April, we are starting to build out a strong schedule for the Westfield Matildas in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I’m pleased that, with the assistance of our match partners, we have been able to lock in more games on home soil which will only continue to grow the passion that exists for the Matildas.”
Australia were drawn in group C at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside Italy, Brazil and Jamaica.
2019 Cup of Nations – Match Schedule
Match day One
Date: Thursday, 28 February 2019
Venue: Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, New South Wales
Match One: Argentina v Korea Republic – 4.35pm kick-off (AEDT)
Match Two: Matildas v New Zealand – 7.30pm kick-off (AEDT)
Match day Two
Date: Sunday, 3 March 2019
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland
Match One: Argentina v New Zealand – 4.05pm (AEDT)
Match Two: Matildas v Korea Republic – 7.00pm (AEDT)
Match day Three
Date: Wednesday, 6 March 2019
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne, Victoria
Match One: Korea Republic v New Zealand – 3.05pm kick-off (AEDT)
Match Two: Matildas v Argentina – 6.00pm kick-off (AEDT)
