ZCZC
BSP-08
FBL-AUS-CHI-WOMEN
Record crowd watches Sam Kerr-led Matildas beat Chile
SYDNEY, Nov 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A record crowd for a women’s football
international in Australia turned up to watch superstar Sam Kerr score two
goals as the Matildas edged past Chile in a friendly on Saturday.
Playing their first match since the World Cup in June, skipper Kerr netted
in each half to steer her team to a 2-1 win in Sydney.
“Thank you to the 20,029 fans who have come to see us and have made this
match the highest-attended women’s football international in Australian
history,” the team tweeted afterwards.
The popularity of women’s football has been steadily rising in Australia,
with players like Kerr, who is set to play next season in Europe, leading the
way.
Last week Australia’s national team agreed a new centralised contract
system that will see them earn the same as their male counterparts in a
breakthrough hailed as a landmark for gender equality in sport.
Under the deal, Matildas’ stars such as Kerr will be paid an equal amount
as big-name Socceroos like Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan.
They will also be afforded business class flights to international
fixtures and tournaments, like the men.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1346 hrs