Melbourne City will make history in the AFC Women’s Champions League this weekend and for captain Rebekah Stott, it is not something she ever envisaged.
Reigning Ninja A-League premiers and current leaders City are gearing up for the inaugural Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, with Taiwanese club Taichung Blue Whale awaiting in the knockout clash at AAMI Park on Sunday, March 23.
The fixture will represent the first Women’s Champions League match on Australian soil after the continental tournament was launched ahead of season 2024-25.
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Match details
Melbourne City FC v Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team
Competition: AFC Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final
Date: Sunday 23 March 2025
Kick-off: 3:00pm kick-off
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Tickets: Get your tickets here
“I grew up watching the UEFA Champions League, and back then, there wasn’t a women’s side of that,” Stott told reporters.
“To be able to have our own continental Champions League is special, and something I didn’t know was possible.
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“To have little girls be able to watch us play in that competition, I think it’s cool and gives them something to strive towards.”
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New Zealand international Stott – whose City set a new league record with a 19-game unbeaten run to start the current Ninja A-League season – added: “To captain this team, a special team, is such an honour for me, and to do it in the first Women’s Champions League is incredible.
“We just want to make everyone proud and put on a good performance.”
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With the next phase of the Champions League to be held in a centralised location, this could be the only match held in Australia this season.
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“I think having international club football in Australia, and especially in Melbourne, is something that hasn’t been done before in the women’s game,” Stott said. “So it’s super exciting, and we really hope that we can get a lot of people out to watch it.
“You obviously see everyone getting around the Matildas. I think this offers a different kind of football.”
On top of eyeing the title, there is also the added incentive of prize money in the Champions League.
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The winner of the inaugural edition of the tournament are set to take home at least USD 1.3 million (roughly AUD $1.95 million).
Having already pocketed around $150,000 by qualifying for the group stage and an additional $120,000 with their quarter-final appearance, City players could be set to land $50,000 each should they go all the way.
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“We obviously have been talking with the PFA and that is something at the end of the line for us,” Stott said. “So it’s special, especially women’s football, it’s quite huge.
“We want to play good football, but it’s kind of like a carrot dangling in front of you. It’s really cool. It’s really good for women’s football.”
Match details
Melbourne City FC v Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team
Competition: AFC Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final
Date: Sunday 23 March 2025
Kick-off: 3:00pm kick-off
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Tickets: Get your tickets here
