Players and fans of the Matildas pose for a group photo after announcing the Matildas are playing China during a press conference at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia, March 5, 2024. /CFP
The Australian national women's football team, also known as the Matildas, will welcome China's Steel Roses for friendly matches in May and June, Football Australia (FA) confirmed on Tuesday.
The Matildas will play China at Adelaide Oval on May 31 and at Stadium Australia in Sydney on June 3 as send-off matches for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Adelaide Oval can hold over 50,000 spectators and Stadium Australia over 80,000.
The Matildas beat Uzbekistan 13-0 on aggregate over two legs in February to secure qualification for the Olympics.
Zhang Linyan (#19) of China battles for the ball with Sophia Smith (#11) of the United States during their friendly match in Frisco, U.S., December 5, 2023. /CFP
The first friendly match against the reigning Asian Cup champions will be the first time the Matildas have played in Adelaide since 2019 and the first time they have faced China since a 1-1 draw in Sydney in February 2020.
The Matildas have played in front of 12 consecutive sell-out crowds in Australia, including every game in their run to the semifinals at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Steel Roses had been based in Adelaide for the 2023 World Cup and played England in their final group stage match in the city in front of 13,497 fans at the 16,500-capacity Hindmarsh Stadium.
(With input from Xinhua)