The CommBank Young Matildas have touched down in the harbour city of Xiamen ahead of their two-match China International Series in collaboration with the China Football Association, supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.
The Australian Women鈥檚 U-20 National Football Team will play the China U-20 Women鈥檚 National Football Team on Sunday 3 December and Wednesday 6 December at the Auxiliary Field of Xiamen Egret Stadium.
Beyond the matches, the series presents a valuable opportunity for the CommBank Young Matildas to experience the city of Xiamen and strengthen people-to-people ties with their Chinese counterparts.
The team will participate in a joint training session at a sports high school in Xiamen, as well as travel to Gulangyu Island, an important historical site located on the estuary of the Chiu-lung River, to learn more about the city鈥檚 history.
The Acting Australian Consul-General in Guangzhou, Ms. Sophie Smith, is delighted that the Young Matildas are in China to compete in the two friendly matches.
She said, 鈥淭he matches provide a wonderful opportunity to share in the growing enthusiasm of women鈥檚 football in China and around the world 鈥 particularly following the excitement of this year鈥檚 FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really looking forward to Sunday鈥檚 match in Xiamen, Fujian province 鈥 good luck Young Matildas!鈥
National Foundation for Australia-China Relations CEO Peter Cai echoed this enthusiasm.
He said, 鈥淭he Foundation is proud to support the next generation of Matildas heading to China, particularly on the back of the Prime Minister鈥檚 recent visit.
鈥淭his tour will help build on longstanding links between Australia and China and showcase Australia鈥檚 excellence in women鈥檚 sport.鈥
CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Leah Blayney is excited for the opportunities this series will provide for her young and talented playing group.
鈥淲hen you take youth players away to different countries, the football side of it is important, but those off-field experiences are just as important.
鈥淭he exposure to other cultures and playing against other international teams away from home, really adds to who they are as people and their growth and development as top footballers,鈥 she said.
Blayney also emphasized the importance of these matches in the team鈥檚 preparation for the AFC U-20 Women鈥檚 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan early next year, and the invaluable international experience this series provides to both regular and new players.
鈥淲e鈥檝e certainly got a strong squad and a few regular players have returned, but we鈥檙e really excited to see some new faces.
鈥淕race Johnston comes to mind; she鈥檚 been exceptional in the Western Australian NPL and great for Perth Glory, this is her real first opportunity to play international football, so really looking forward to what she鈥檒l bring to the team.鈥
The team took to the pitch for their first training session on Tuesday afternoon after their 9-hour flight from Sydney. A sunny afternoon in Xiamen with the backdrop of the Auxiliary Stadium was the perfect way to get the series started.
鈥淲henever the girls come into the national team camp they鈥檙e just so excited to be together and reconnect. We鈥檒l continue to build on that throughout the rest of the time we鈥檙e here and I鈥檓 looking forward to the remainder of our time in China,鈥 Blayney said.
COMMBANK YOUNG MATILDAS | CHINA INTERNATIONAL SERIES
China v CommBank Young Matildas
Date: Sunday, 3 December 2023
Kick-off: 3.00pm (Local)/ 6.00pm (AEDT)
Venue: Auxiliary Field of Xiamen Egret Stadium, Xiamen
China v CommBank Young Matildas
Date: Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Kick-off: 1.00pm (Local)/ 4.00pm (AEDT)
Venue: Auxiliary Field of Xiamen Egret Stadium, Xiamen
