Although it is just a practice match, it looms as one of the biggest in the club’s history, as it rolls out the welcome mat to some of Australia’s best female soccer players. The newest team in the national W-League competition, Melbourne City is expected to bring seven fully-fledged international representatives.

Without doubt, most eyes will be on Australian Matilda’s co-captain Lisa De Vanna – one of the country’s most accomplished female soccer players. De Vanna has been capped 104 times for her country and has hit the back of the net 37 times.

She was nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2007 and was named in the FIFA Women’s World Cup All Star Team in the same year.

Her explosive power, elite dribbling skills and pace is likely to test the Eureka Strikers players to the limit, but development coach Laura Brady said the entire squad was looking forward to the challenge.

“This game is a wonderful opportunity for the broader Ballarat football community, not just the Eureka Strikers, so as a club we wanted to allow the best up and coming youngsters to have an experience as well,” Brady said.

“There has also been extensive interest from the broader community in the match and the Strikers are hoping for a record crowd.”

The Eureka Strikers have extended invitations to Alex Murphy, Alyssa Britten and Kyra Cooney-Cross to be part of the squad for the clash. 

The match will be played at 11am on Saturday at Morshead Park, with Melbourne City players expected to be available for signatures and interaction with fans.