In modern times, and undoubtedly in post-2023 Australia, women's football has begun to mirror certain aspects of the men's game that would be considered an everyday part of the usual domestic season, with teams and leagues increasing in their financial value and, more importantly, their global image. As a result, Western Australia was home to four European clubs for a pre-season tour last week dubbed the Perth International Football Cup.
Mary Fowler headlined the few Matildas who travelled with their domestic clubs for the Perth International Football Cup. (Image: Brock Pearson Photography)
Since football's popularity with a predominantly female audience rose after the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, state governments have been keen to capitalise on the spectacle.
The current government in Western Australia has been, without a doubt, one of the absolute best in this respect. It has given football a platform across the male and female game, eventually devising a plan to bring over the domestic clubs of some of the most well-known Matildas through the Perth International Football Cup.
Those clubs lined up as West Ham United, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Manchester City, and Leicester City, all keen to take to the field at HBF Park. The final was proposed for Optus Stadium but changed location in the lead-up to the tournament.
Spirits were certainly dampened in the build-up to the event when two major players used in promotional material, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and defender Clare Hunt, left West Ham and PSG, respectively, for moves elsewhere.
Regardless, the show had to go on and on, and it did, with an unfortunate start to life on a cold and wet Wednesday night. Off the pitch, it was clear that the tournament's selling point was largely overstated.
The tournament was largely affected by the absence of Matildas Mackenzie Arnold and Clare Hunt, who were playing for West Ham and PSG, respectively, at the time it was organised. (Image: Brock Pearson Photography)
Though it would improve immensely by the final day, it was here the government and relevant organisers probably realised the overkill that 'Matildas Fever' as a concept received within 12 months after the World Cup.
However, staying on the pitch with Manchester City, for whom two Matildas would perform in the guise of Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy, provided the only genuine interest for casual fans in attendance.
Meanwhile, for the more in-tune football lovers, Jamaican international Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, English internationals Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, and Chloe Kelly, and Dutch star Vivianne Miedema would see minutes across the tournament, delighting Australian fans of the English Women's Super League.
The opening night fixture and the final would follow a similar theme for the City squad. On both occasions, a dominant style failed to translate to goals in the 90 minutes before a late penalty ruined their chance at the Cup title.
For their English compatriots, West Ham United, led by Australian Katrina Gorry in their first game, suffered the realisation of many pinch points throughout all areas, seemingly struggling to create chances and defensively perform to a satisfactory standard.
West Ham struggled on the tour, losing both of their two games. (Image: Brock Pearson Photography)
However, credit must be given to West Ham's first game against regular UEFA Women's Champions League competitors PSG, who, despite dominating proceedings, only scored once against the Hammers. Their second match was a disaster, as they lost 5-2 to Leicester City.
The Hammers' connection to Western Australia is likely the main takeaway here. Just as the men's side trained at Stirling Macedonia during their tour last winter, so did the women, as West Ham signed the late Dylan Tombides from the local club.
Canadian captain Shelina Zadorsky also has a connection through her former appearances in the then W-League with Perth Glory, a fact she was happy to address post-match on matchday one, with a particular fondness for HBF Park.
"I am so happy to be back in Perth; I'm definitely aging myself here; it was around 2014 I was last with Perth Glory, and I have terrific memories of the city, Australia, and this stadium. It is absolutely beautiful," Zadorsky said.
Leicester, their matchday two opponents, were undoubtedly the most entertaining team on the tour. They boasted the likes of Kiwi CJ Bott, Japanese forward Yuka Momiki, and future England star Missy Goodwin, among others.
Leicester delighted the local audiance across the week. (Image: Brock Pearson Photography)
Off the pitch, they had reportedly spent more time and effort with the fans at organised events. Leicester provided terrific intensity on matchday two especially, with a comprehensive win following a gutsy performance that took Manchester City to penalties.
French manager Amandine Miquel had also been a treat with the press, emphasising what it meant for the club.
"Mostly for us, it is the first time in Australia. We have assessed what we need to perform at the highest level with the quality of our opponents, and this has been a terrific opportunity for us. Thank you to everyone here," she said.
Overall, they gave the Western Australian public and the tour the respect it deserved and even gave their designated Matilda Courtney Nevin minutes despite her arriving under an injury cloud for the first fixture against City.
Though their intensity may have surpassed Paris Saint-Germain's, the French club came to Perth with a point to prove. They ultimately did so with their unsuspecting defensive style and emphasised the importance of the clash with Manchester City, in particular, as a rare warm-up for their Champions League campaign months down the line.
The Parisians frustrated their opponents, who left a lot on the table before a counter-attack led to a crucial foul on young defender Tara Elimbi Gilbert, and the tournament-winning penalty with six minutes left on the clock was slotted by Nigerian Jennifer Echegini.
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PSG are handed the Perth International Football Cup trophy. (Image: Brock Pearson Photography)
This result capped off the week that was and showed that even when the public may not be enthralled with excitement and anticipation, football can and will always deliver.
If state governments learn anything from how these games should be marketed, the tour may best try to align better with weekends and school holidays. Ultimately, the final day was still great fun and a rousing success.
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