The Westfield Matildas will be showcased on free to air commercial television for the first time with the Seven Network signing an agreement with Football Federation Australia (FFA) to broadcast the Olympic Games Qualifiers, which start on February 29 in Japan.

The partnership is a significant step forward for women’s football after the Matildas captured the hearts of the nation with their deeds at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ironically, the Westfield Matildas will start their quest to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with a match against Japan, who knocked the Australians out of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win in the quarter finals.

That match will be broadcast on 7mate and streamed on Plus7 live from 9.30pm on Monday 29 February.

The Westfield Matildas will also play Vietnam (2 March), Korea Republic (4 March), DPR Korea (7 March) and China (9 March) with the top two teams advancing to represent the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

FFA CEO David Gallop was delighted that Channel 7 had taken the leap to broadcast the Westfield Matildas on free to air commercial television as FFA’s long term strategy to grow women’s football continues to gather momentum.

“This broadcast agreement with the Seven Network is a breakthrough moment for women’s football and due recognition to the deeds of the Matildas at last year’s World Cup,” Gallop said.

“FFA is committed to growing women’s football and this is a pleasing sign that the long term strategy we have been undertaking over the last two years with women’s football is starting to bear fruit.

“Over the last two years we have invested a significant amount of resources into women’s football, in particular the Matildas program, and following the on field success at the World Cup, this is a positive sign that we are making headway off the field.

“We thank for the Seven Network for their commitment and look forward to watching the Matildas battle for a place in the Olympic Games.”

Tim Worner, CEO of Seven West Media, commented: "Seven is proud to be bringing the next chapter of Matildas story to all Australians and we'll be doing that live on any screen.

“Australians have embraced the idea of viewing live sport through apps, as the massive audience during the Australian Open has shown.”

Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 – Final Qualification Round

Westfield Matildas v Japan

Monday 29 February 2016

Kincho Stadium, Osaka

Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)

Westfield Matildas v Vietnam

Wednesday 2 March 2016

Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka

Kick-Off: 4:35pm local time (6:35pm AEDT)

Korea Republic v Westfield Matildas

Friday 4 March 2016

Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka

Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)

DPR Korea v Westfield Matildas

Monday 7 March 2016

Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka

Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)

Westfield Matildas v China P.R.

Wednesday 9 March 2016

Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka

Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)