Nearly 24 hours before they were due to travel,next week's qualifying series was moved from China to Sydney due to the threat of the coronavirus,which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Initially,that is where the Matildas were scheduled to play Taiwan,China and Thailand.
The Matildas were anxiously preparing to fly there until Friday morning,when the Asian Football Confederation moved the tournament to Nanjing,about 530 kilometres away. When that was no longer deemed safe,it chose the option furthest from the epicentre after Football Federation Australia proposed playing the games in Sydney.
"Obviously we are delighted with the outcome. It is a sensible decision first and foremost,"Milicic said."It’s on everyone’s mind when you see the amount of media attention the virus was constantly getting and now it just gives Australia another opportunity to show how well we can host an event of this magnitude."
Crucially for the Matildas,it has given them home-ground advantage as well as the high-quality facilities and pitches they are accustomed to. The venues are yet to be confirmed but Leichhardt Oval will certainly be used,either to host games or for training. FFA sources suggested AFC had hired the venue but hadn't revealed why. Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah and Campbelltown Stadium are also on the shortlist to host games.
Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta is unlikely to be available for the first round of games on Monday,February 3,as it will host a rugby sevens competition the weekend before. AFC regulations usually require a venue to be available for teams to train on the day before a match.
The same issue faces Central Coast Stadium,which is not available this Sunday due to the Mariners'home game against the Wanderers. Wollongong is an alternative venue.