The Western Sydney Wanderers will host the first ever Sydney Derby double-header in the lead-up to Christmas at ANZ Stadium this December.
Records fell and history was made when the Wanderers played their first Sydney Derby at ANZ Stadium last year, and now the books are set to be rewritten again.
The historic double-header is being tipped to smash the all-time A-League crowd record with the current benchmark being set by the 61,880 fans who packed ANZ Stadium to see Wanderers v Sydney FC last October.
“The atmosphere and the overall spectacle of a Sydney Derby is something else,” Santalab said.
“To now be playing two derbies on the day will be very special – it’s an honour to be part of these big games and I’m sure the women’s team all feel the same way.
“How great will be it be if we see more records fall as both the men’s and women’s games continue to grow in this country every year.”
There will be three Westfield W-League/Hyundai A-League double-headers at ANZ Stadium in the 2017/18 season as part of the 25 double-headers announced for the upcoming season.
The Wanderers’ W-League team will share the billing with the A-League team on three of the biggest days of the season at ANZ Stadium.
The W-League/A-League double-headers will be played at ANZ Stadium on:
- Saturday 9 December: Sydney Derby – Wanderers v Sydney FC;
- Monday 1 January: New Year’s Day showdown – Wanderers v Melbourne City;
- Friday 19 January: Wanderers v Melbourne Victory.
Last year’s record Sydney Derby at ANZ Stadium opened the A-League season but its scheduling on Saturday 9 December in the lead-up to Christmas this season is expected to drive an even higher attendance – as is the scheduling of the historic W-League/A-League double-header.
The scheduling of the W-League game on the biggest Sydney Derby day of the year is further evidence that women’s football has arrived in Australia.
Australia’s national women’s team the Matildas are ranked 6th in the FIFA world rankings. FFA and the Australian Government have announced their intention to bid for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Almost 250,000 women and young girls participate in women’s football in Australia.
One of the rising stars of the W-League is the Wanderers’ 17-year-old goalkeeper Jada Whyman, a proud young indigenous player who hails from Wagga Wagga and is now completing her schooling at the famed Westfields Sports High School in Sydney’s west.
“It will be so cool to play in a Sydney Derby double-header in front of a massive crowd at ANZ Stadium. We can’t wait. It will be a very exciting day for the W-League,” said Whyman.
