Last time Australia hosted a Women’s Asian Cup, Sarah Walsh was a 21-year-old Matildas striker and overwhelmed by a crowd of 5000 in Adelaide.

Nineteen years on, she’s the chief operating officer of the local organising committee (LOC) out to capitalise on “Matildas mania” and fill some of Australia’s biggest stadiums.

Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast will host next year’s tournament, which runs from March 1-21, with hopes it can be the biggest yet.

“We had such a fantastic time in 2006 and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Walsh told AAP.

“But to think about what we’re building for 2026 right now for a women’s football tournament, it’s not going to be the spend of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but it is going to be the best ever women’s Asian Cup ever delivered.

“When you reflect 20 years on, it is just so fantastic to see so many things are different.”

Every Matildas game is expected to be a sellout, and Walsh is also expecting big crowds for games featuring already-qualified Japan, South Korea and China.

Eight more countries will reach the tournament through the 34-team qualifiers held across Asia between June 23 and July 5.

“It was a 5000-strong crowd at the final I played in against China. And most of that crowd were there supporting China. No joke, there was a sea of red,” Walsh said.

“But I’m looking forward to seeing how we bring those fans out again to fill the stands for a China match, wherever they land after the draw.

“Who would have thought – definitely not 21-year-old me – we’d be opening in Perth Stadium and closing in Stadium Australia?

“Some of the things that my team are planning around opening and closing ceremonies, these are Olympic-level conversations.

“It’s just pretty exciting to know at the heart of what we are developing and planning are women’s sporting teams.

“It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come, not just the investment, but what we can actually deliver off the back of that investment.”

Speaking as part of Female Football Week, which runs from May 2-11, Walsh hopes the Asian Cup can connect football with different Asian communities throughout Australia.

“We’re thinking very, very deeply about how we can start to connect kids and families already playing the game with Asian ancestry,” Walsh said.

“Or (those) not playing the game, we might actually introduce them to the game through the Asian Cup.”

Walsh is well aware of the impact a deep run from the Matildas, set to be coached by Melburnian Joe Montemurro, can have on the tournament’s momentum overall.

“For us, we have to think about the broader tournament and what that might look like,” Walsh said.

“But there’s no doubt having a strong host nation – we saw that with the Women’s World Cup here in Australia – not only drives local media interest, but it obviously builds that momentum you need.

“But it’s only one factor in the success of the tournament.”

Anna Harrington
(Australian Associated Press)