Football
Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium will see international women’s football at its best on February 19 as Football Australia launches a Cup of Nations tournament in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™.
The Cup of Nations will see the CommBank Matildas joined by fellow FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 contestants Spain Jamaica, and Czechia play a four nations competition over three days.
Football Australia has gained the support of the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, to host the four-nation tournament comprising three double-header matchdays in Gosford, Sydney, and Newcastle.
Game days will comprise two games, the first being Spain vs Jamacia at 4:10 pm and the Matildas vs Czechia at 7:10 pm in Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium on Thursday, February 16.
The highest-placed nation following the completion of all three match days will be crowned the Cup of Nations champion on 22 February in Newcastle.
CommBank Matildas Head Coach Tony Gustavsson is reportedly pleased to have this type of competition played on home soil for the side under his command, saying;
“Not only are all three nations filled with quality, but they also provide a difference in playing style and approach with the three-match days aiming to mirror tournament group play to the best of our ability.”
“As a team, we love playing at home and the Cup of Nations will provide that opportunity to fully experience the so-called ‘12th player’ support from Australia.”
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said “February’s Cup of Nations will build on the success of the first tournament held in 2019 and be one of the final opportunities for fans to see the CommBank Matildas on home soil before the commencement of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Industree Group Stadium successfully featured a Matildas exhibition match against Thailand in November last year. On that occasion, the Matildas came away with a 2-0 win featuring some stunning football by Sam Kerr and her teammates in front of a big local crowd.
NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the Cup of Nations tournament would be a fantastic event for players, fans and the entire football community to kick off a stellar year of women’s football in NSW.
“Securing events like the Cup of Nations attracts the world’s best players, officials and supporters to NSW, who stay in our hotels, visit our attractions and spend in our retail stores, restaurants, bars and cafes.”
Football Australia acknowledged during the announcement the considerable support of the Federal Government in supporting the high-performance pillar of its ‘Legacy ’23 plan’, designed to ensure that the Matildas are well prepared for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 that commences in July this year.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch MP said to CCN “This is great news for fans of football on the Central Coast.
“We are now reaping the benefits of the over $700,000 provided to Central Coast Council by the NSW Government in funding to upgrade the stadium with world-class women’s change rooms.
“This sort of infrastructure is allowing the region to host these elite level events to the benefit of Central Coast fans and supporters.
Shadow Minister for the Central Coast David Harris MP described the announcement as a real coup for the region, saying to CCN “Women’s Football on the Coast has already received a boost with the recent announcement of the Mariners W-League team.
“This tournament is an important lead into the FIFA Women’s World Cup which will see world football heavyweights England and Germany based on the Coast.
“I welcome the news and encourage local residents to engage with top class Women’s Football.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public from 12 pm Tuesday, January 17, with prices starting from $15 for Juniors and $25 for Adults with Concessions starting at $20. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
The games will be broadcast live across 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+.
David Abrahams