Sarah Walsh has heard the naysayers, those who point to half-empty stadiums and unsold tickets during the Women’s Asian Cup. As the chief operating officer of the tournament, she is well aware of the insinuations: that the Matildas, Australia’s beloved national team, have lost their appeal. Yet, Walsh, a former player with 70 caps for Australia, is not one to remain silent. On Thursday, she addressed segments of the country who seem eager to see the Matildas falter.
“Some people don’t like change,” Walsh stated, revealing that ticket sales for Saturday’s final between Australia and Japan had surpassed 60,000. “They’re a lightning rod for change, and so if the Matildas are still doing well, it suggests that things are changing.”
Record Attendance and Empty Seats
The semi-final between Australia and China drew 35,170 spectators to Perth Stadium, which seats 60,000. As the national anthems played, numerous empty seats sparked speculation about what had changed since the Matildas enjoyed 16 consecutive home sellouts. Despite this, Walsh remains optimistic.
“I hear those comments and I really don’t want to give them any airtime today, but I just think it’s really important [to say] in every single measure, this [the Women’s Asian Cup] has been a success,” she asserted. Tourism targets were “smashed” by early November, and Walsh took pride in the tournament’s role in embedding multicultural Australia.
“If people are still thinking about the Women’s World Cup, that’s fine, that might have been their first experience,” Walsh says. “But this is a Women’s Asian Cup, and I think there’s some education through that as well.”
Television Ratings and Public Interest
While stadiums may not have been filled to capacity, television ratings tell a different story. The Matildas’ opener against the Philippines attracted 635,000 viewers, closely rivaling the NRL’s Las Vegas opener. Interest has grown as the tournament progressed, with 722,000 tuning in for the Matildas’ match against South Korea, surpassing both AFL and NRL broadcasts on the same day.
The semi-final against China drew over 900,000 viewers, despite a late 9pm kick-off. This sets the stage for a potentially nation-stopping broadcast for Saturday’s final.
“We have 5, 6 million Australians that identify with one of the 11 nations that are not Australia,” Walsh says. “We need more of this connection and unity right now.”
The Final Showdown: Australia vs. Japan
The Asian Cup final presents a formidable challenge for the Matildas. Held at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, nearly 76,000 fans are expected to witness a match reminiscent of the World Cup semi-final three years ago. While that match drew over 7 million viewers, Saturday’s final promises to be one of the year’s standout TV events.
Japan, ranked sixth in the world, is a powerhouse team and has previously defeated the Matildas in the finals of both the 2014 and 2018 editions. Melissa Barbieri, a former Matildas goalkeeper, expressed deep emotion when discussing the significance of the upcoming match.
“We are a nation of many different faces and colours and creeds and genders, and I feel like when we are together, we are unstoppable,” she says. “I just think if we all get fired up for the night, we’ll just really show the world what Australia can do.”
Looking Beyond the Matildas
Walsh encourages Australians to see the broader value of the tournament. Beyond the Matildas’ performance, the Women’s Asian Cup has been a celebration of diversity and unity, drawing in fans from various backgrounds and cultures.
The tournament’s success, despite challenges, underscores the growing interest and support for women’s soccer in Australia and beyond. As the final approaches, the Matildas are not just playing for a title but for the continued growth and recognition of women’s sports.
