Shocking photos prove Aussie football has a HUGE problem despite the Matildas’ incredible success at the World Cup

Following the incredible success of the Matildas at the World Cup, it was hoped football had turned a corner in Australia.

But if the shocking crowd at Wednesday night’s AFC Asian Champions League clash between Melbourne City and Ventforet Kofu at AAMI Park is any guide, the code needs to find a better way to attract fans.

And it needs to happen fast, given only 3245 supporters were in attendance.

The figure makes for grim reading when you consider at least 90,000 fans will make their way to the MCG on Friday night when Collingwood play GWS Giants in the AFL preliminary final. 

The 0-0 result was also disappointing for Melbourne City given Vontforet Kofu play in Japan’s second-tier J2 competition.

The shocking crowd left football fans wondering how the sport can stay relevant and build on the success of the Matildas at the World Cup

Football fan Ben Williams spoke for many when he labelled the crowd ‘genuinely awful.’

‘Australia’s only #ACL2023 representative this season and they were out sung by a J2 club’s fans,’ he tweeted on X.

‘Huge image problem for the game in Australia.’

Plenty of other frustrated supporters agreed – and it also emerged the cheapest tickets for the ACL clash were $40 plus a booking fee.

‘That’s disgraceful! No wonder fans could not give a stuff,’ one fumed.

Another posted: ‘We love pricing people out of football in this country. 

‘The Asian Cup in 2015 and the Women’s World Cup are about the only two times we’ve got it right… and we were handsomely rewarded.’

It is also understood the cheapest tickets for the ACL clash were $40 plus a booking fee

Melbourne City captain Jamie Maclaren conceded it was a sloppy on-field performance.

‘I have to be mindful that it’s a new group, we have 13 or so new players, so to play our style of football, it does take time,’ he said.

‘Being at home we want to be on the front foot… but at times we were outplayed.’

After winning the A-League premiership last season, Melbourne City are the sole Australian squad competing in the Asian Champions League.

The AFC Cup features the Central Coast Mariners – who lost 1-0 to Terengganu FC in Malaysia on Wednesday night – and Australia Cup winners Macarthur FC, who take on Shan United in Myanmar on Thursday night at 10pm (AEST).