The friendly match will be vital for preparations for the upcoming 2019/20 W-League season, with Round 1 expected to start in mid-November.

The friendly game will be the first match played by Sydney FC this season, with a shortened pre-season meaning the players haven’t had a chance to train or play together so far this year.

Your @WLeague Champions are off to Wagga Wagga for a pre-season friendly against @NewcastleJetsFC! 👊

📰 - https://t.co/FCCtGkTp5g#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions pic.twitter.com/dowfvrw21Q

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) September 19, 2019 ">

 

Head Coach Ante Juric will be finalising his squad within the next few weeks but is expecting to take a strong line-up to Wagga Wagga for the historic first friendly match in the Riverina.

“We will be in the final straight of pre-season so will be keen to give a good account of ourselves heading into round 1,” he said.

“It is good to have W-League opposition at that stage in our build-up as it will help us transition into the season proper while having the expected large crowd will ensure the girls put on a good showing.

“We know what a fervent area for football Wagga Wagga is and once we complete our squad, I think they will be excited by some of our players on show.”

Sydney FC midfielder Teresa Polias is also looking forward to the match ahead of her twelfth season playing in the W-League, ten of which she's spent in the Sky-Blue shirt.

“It’s very exciting… we’ll be having pre-season camps and other friendly games too, which will be really important for our preparation.

“It will be a pretty short and compact pre-season, so well all have to come in ready.”

The friendly match is part of a new partnership between the Sky Blues, Wagga Wagga City Council and Football Wagga Wagga, which will also see the A-League men’s team play a pre-season game at the same venue in September 2020.

Football Wagga Wagga President Tony Dobbin said the match will be highly anticipated.

“The Sydney FC partnership with Wagga is set to deliver some huge benefits to the city and the region, and is also a huge injection for the continued development of our sport at all levels in this area particularly for women,” Mr Dobbin said.

The Sky Blue girls are set to travel to Wagga Wagga on the Friday ahead of the game and spend the weekend in the Riverina involved in local community initiatives.