The CommBank Matildas will start their path to Paris 2024 when they take on IR Iran in their opening game of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024™ Asian Qualifiers Round 2 (Asian Qualifiers) in Perth.
The game at HBF Park is set to see a 20,000 crowd pack out the stadium, with the side playing their first game in Perth since a 2018 friendly against Thailand. This will be the first-ever international match between the two sides, as Australia host the 63-ranked side.
The first of the Matildas players arrived in WA on Sunday and enjoyed an open training session at the State Football Centre in Queens Park.
Squad News
CommBank Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson named his 22-player squad for the upcoming three Asian Qualifiers matches, with the squad featuring 21 members of the team that captured a nation and claimed fourth place at the global showpiece earlier this year.
Captain and hometown hero Sam Kerr and vice-captain Steph Catley headline the roster, Amy Sayer and Charlie Rule are two faces who didn't feature in the FIFA Women's World Cup squad, who gained experience at the international level with the U-23 side.
“With just over 285 days to go until that opening kick-off in France, we have called up players that we know are ready to take us forward to the next phase of qualifying, while looking to reward a couple who have performed strongly in the U-23 Program,” Gustavsson said.
The team has begun arriving in Perth, after making the trek from around the globe after wrapping up their club commitments.
Our Opponent
Head coach Maryam Azmoun has named a 22-player squad for the upcoming tournament, with the former international player looking to lead her side to a first-ever major tournament.
IR Iran featured at the 2022 CAFA Women's Championship, claiming the silver medal after being defeated 1-0 by Uzbekistan in the final. The team made a first-ever appearance at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in the 2022 edition of the tournament, recording two losses and one draw, however, the draw would later be voided after the host nation India was forced to withdraw due to COVID cases in camp.
The side played two friendlies against club teams before departing for Perth, recording a 3-0 victory over the Bandar Anzali Sailors' team and a 1-0 win over the Khatun Bam team.
MATCH DAY 1
Australia v IR Iran
Date: Thurs, 26 October 2023
Kick-off: 7.00pm AWST / 10.00pm AEDT
Broadcast: 10 Bold (WA, QLD & NT), Channel 10 (NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS & SA), 10 Play and Paramount+
Venue: HBF Park, Perth, Australia
