First Matildas: Recognising Australia’s 1975 Asian Cup pioneers

Imagine having to wait 50 years for your work to be officially recognised.

That’s what happened to the women of St George Women's Soccer team, who represented Australia in the 1975 Asian Ladies Football Confederation tournament held in Hong Kong.

For years, their efforts were overlooked by the football authorities in Australia.

Now, Football Australia will recognise those players as the "First Matildas" by awarding them cap numbers ahead of Australia's game against South Korea. World Football’s Mani Djazmi tells John Bennet the inside story.

Photo: The St George Women's Soccer team, now known as ‘the first Matildas’ at Sydney Airport on August 21, 1975. (Credit: Fairfax Media via Getty Images)