When the Commonwealth Bank Matildas take to the park against Brazil on October 23, 596 days will have passed since the team’s last home game.
COVID-19 has meant the team has not been able to gather on home soil in 19 months, but that is all set to change with a two-game friendly series against Australia’s great rivals, Brazil.
The setting and the opponent couldn’t be more fitting for a homecoming for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas.
“I think everyone's missed playing on home soil, for a lot of the girls, they haven't even been back in Australia for well over a year so they're really excited for these upcoming games and can't wait to give the Australian public something to look forward to,” Commonwealth Bank Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond explained.
The 28-year-old knows all about playing in front of big home crowds and what they offer the team.
“Having fans at home is like having a 12th man, our supporters are unreal, they get behind us, so I'd definitely say they're the best part and biggest advantage of playing at home.
"Being able to play in front of friends and family is always special as well.”
Coming back home - and to the newly named CommBank Stadium – is a return to the scene of some recent historic moments.
The current largest crowd for a standalone women’s football match was recorded at the ground in 2019 when Australia defeated Chile in a friendly series. While van Egmond’s last gasp strike against China in February 2020 ensured the Commonwealth Bank Matildas finished top of their group and ultimately helped the team in their quest to qualify for Tokyo 2020.
But it is not just the stadium that has been a part of some Australian women’s football history, but also the opponents.
Australia playing Brazil became as regular as the seasons, with the team meeting at least once a year from 2014 to 2019. It was against Brazil in 2017 that previous attendance records were set and the Miracle of Montpellier saw the Aussies defeat Brazil at the most recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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Playing Brazil is always an exciting prospect for the Commonwealth Bank Matildas.
“They're top quality side, so that challenge alone is exciting and we've had some good battles in the past,” van Egmond said.
“We've always seemed to play them in major tournaments and in such crucial matches, so there is a good history there between both teams.
“The individual flair that they have, they've got some players that are just so off the cuff, they can change games in an instant. They're quality players," she continued.
“You get to play against some of the best female footballers in the world in the likes of Marta and so on and that alone speaks volumes.”
Marta is a player van Egmond knows all too well, having spent a few seasons alongside the Brazilian great at Orlando Pride in the United States. Naturally, the friendship will be put on pause for the games.
“It's all good fun to have a bit of banter, but as soon as you cross that white line, it's game on.”
For van Egmond personally, she is ready for the next challenge at club level. After an excellent Olympic campaign where she played every minute of every game in the Commonwealth Bank Matildas’ historic fourth-placed finish, she was able to take a well-earned break.
“It came at a good time [post-Olympics]. I was one of the fortunate ones who was able to come home and spend time with my family. I hadn't seen them for so long so it's been nice to do that and switch off from football - although you can never switch off completely. It's been really good, but I'm eager to get going again.”
Where she plies her trade next will be revealed shortly.
“Hopefully I'll be heading overseas in the next few days, so stay tuned!”