On 20 March 2025, the Subway Socceroos will play in the new Sydney Football Stadium for the first time - facing Indonesia - and local boy Hayden Matthews is relishing the prospect.
READ: How to access pre-sale tickets for Australia v Indonesia in Sydney
Matthews, who became cap #648 when Head Coach Tony Popovic named him in his starting line-up against Bahrain in November, is Sydney born and bred and plays his club football at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The Sydney FC defender has enjoyed a whirlwind year, only making his senior club debut earlier in 2024 and now, a fully fledged Australia international, is excited at the opportunity to represent his country in his hometown and stadium.
Here’s what the 20-year-old had to say when we caught up with him after the announcement earlier today.
On his earliest memories of growing up and starting his football journey in Sydney
Football has always been the biggest part of my life. It's always been something I wanted to do as a career. It's always been a goal that I've been chasing to play at the highest level. So obviously, to be given the opportunity has been really special, but watching the Socceroos [as a kid] was a big part of that.
On supporting the Socceroos in Sydney in his childhood
Every time they came to town, we were there - I would be begging my parents to take me to any Socceroos games in Sydney. One of the main ones to stick out was a 3-0 win against Oman in Sydney. There's a photo somewhere. I don't know exactly when, but that was probably the first real moment for me.
On the prospect of representing the Socceroos in his hometown
Playing in Sydney would be an amazing experience, and all my friends and family would get to come. They came down to Melbourne, where, unfortunately, I didn't get on the field, but they obviously didn't come to Bahrain [where Matthews made his debut]. It would be really exciting for them to see me in the uniform.
On how special it would be to represent Australia in his home stadium
Sydney Football Stadium has always been the stadium I go to watch the teams that I love and support. To be able to be there on the field wearing Sky Blue [for Sydney FC] is an honour every week, but to put the Green and Gold on there would be unbelievable.
On what kind of atmosphere we should expect from the Sydney Football Stadium come March
It's loud in there when it's packed. I think the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of there is about 30,000 and that's loud. So, hopefully, we can completely sell it out, and then I'd like to see how loud it is.
On potentially sharing the experience with club teammates like Rhyan Grant and Anthony Caceres
It would be unbelievable. Obviously, we play together week in, week out, and every second week at the Sydney Football Stadium. But to do it wearing the Green and Gold is just that extra bit more special.
On a whirlwind year or so
It's [his career] gone from zero to 100 so quickly - I've accomplished a lot of lifelong goals, really, really quickly, and now I've been resetting them so I've got more goals out in front. Hopefully, my career can continue on that trajectory.
On how many family and friends would come to the game
I imagine my whole family will be there, all the extended family, all my mates that I went to school with, and anyone that I’ve spent a lot of time with over the past couple of years will try to be there.
On inspiring the next generation of young talent from Sydney
Obviously, football is rewarding in itself as I'm getting to do the thing that I love most and it's my job. But another important part of it - another really rewarding part of it - is seeing the effect you have on young children at games, signing shirts, all of that - it really inspires them.
And I know exactly how that feels, because not that long ago, that was me. I was that little kid at the fence waiting for a signature, waiting for the players to come around. So, for me, it's really important that I do those kinds of things. And it would be amazing for myself to be someone that they look up to.
On what the best thing about Sydney is
Probably the weather. You can't really go wrong with it. Even today, it's absolutely steaming hot outside. I mean, it's good and bad running around in that temperature. But, I can't really complain.
Subway Socceroos v Indonesia
Thursday, 20 March 2025
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 8:00pm AEDT
Tickets: Start from $16 Child, $19 Concession, $29 Adult, and $89 Family. Tickets from Ticketek.
Football Account Pre-Sale: 10.00am AEDT on Thursday, 12 December 2024. READ: How to access pre-sale tickets for Australia v Indonesia in Sydney
General Public On-Sale: 4.00pm AEDT Friday, 13 December 2024.