women's football

FIFA shifts Women's World Cup match to bigger stadium

The Matildas will face the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 20 July rather than the smaller Sydney Football Stadium.

Stadium Australia was due to host knockout matches only, but given the significant interest in tickets across the Tasman, FIFA decided to move Australia's first match to Sydney's largest stadium.

The Football Ferns will kick off the tournament on the same day in Auckland when Eden Park hosts the opening ceremony following New Zealand's game against Norway.

Tonga women’s football team rise against the odds to show a fighting spirit

With sport on hold in Tonga, and the OFC Nations Cup, the first stage of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup on the horizon, the squad decamped to Australia so they could train and play their first international matches in three years.

But if the team thought their troubles were over once they touched down on Australian soil, then they were wrong.

It all started on January 15th, a date etched on the memories of every Tongan - it was the day the country was devastated by a volcanic eruption and tsunami.

OFC women’s national teams in action this month

Head coach Jitka Klimková has recalled the likes of Grace Jale, Anna Green and Ally Green to the squad for the series.

Meanwhile, Fiji are also off to Australia. Head coach Lisa Cole will hope fixtures against first-time World Cup qualifiers the Philippines on April 7 and 11 in Sydney can inspire her side to future success.

Fiji, runners-up at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2018, will know a repeat of four years ago will give them a chance to enter the inter-confederation play-offs next February, with three World Cup spots up for grabs.

Women's football wows the crowd despite Vanuatu's scoreless draw

The showpiece of the night was a tough match between front-runners Vanuatu and Fiji that ended 0-0.

Vanuatu had been looking to build on their 5-0 opening win over Solomon Islands, while Fiji had recorded the same score over Tonga in their opener.

However this match proved a far closer contest. Both teams were very strong and had several chances.

The crowd cheered wildly with Fiji, as well as the home side, drawing strong support.

In the earlier match, Tonga defeated Solomon Islands 3-1 to the delight of Tonga’s excitable fans.

Mini Games focuses on development

In order to address one of its key Sustainable Development Goals for the event, the Van2017 LOC has created Em Pawa, a counterpart to the Games’ official mascot Nasi.

Em Pawa will be an advocate for messages of equality and non-discrimination, non-violence, supporting of positive and healthy decisions, encouraging others to challenge gender stereotypes, and promote positive change in the home, workplace, community and country.