Matildas to host Brazil in two match international series

For the second time in three years, Australia will host the Brazilian Women's National Football Team in an international series in September 2017.

The two match series will be hosted at Penrith (Saturday 16 September) and McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (Tuesday 19 September).

“A great rivalry and a healthy respect has developed over the past few years between our two teams. We knocked them out of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but they defeated us at the Olympics," said Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic.

“It will be a tough challenge for us against some of the best players in the world. Brazil has definitely been one of the bench mark nations in world football and we are looking forward to meeting them on home soil again."

In the past decade Australia and Brazil have developed a true international rivalry with each nation inflicting knockout blows at major tournaments.

Brazil defeated Australia (3-2) in the quarter finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup with Australia returning the favour (1-0) at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in the Round of 16. The latest meeting saw the Brazilians, on home soil, advance to the semi-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics thanks to a penalty shootout in Belo Horizonte.

The September internationals will be the first time Penrith has hosted the Matildas, meanwhile for Newcastle, the wait for a Matildas international has been a 17 years with the last match played in the Hunter Region an Australian friendly against the United States.

In a coup for local footballers, all registered players in NSW will be able to purchase discounted tickets for each match.

Tickets for both matches are available for purchase from http://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au/tickets

Both matches will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS (Channel 505) and ABC TV (check local guides for details).

For now attention turns to the Tournament of Nations which will see Australia take on the Brazilians, as well as the United States and Japan in the USA later this month.