The Matildas' Asian Cup draw might be daunting - you know, 'interesting' group of death and all that covered in last week's blog -but their pain has been slightly eased this week.

At least, financially.

There wasn't a lot of fanfare around the media release, but the FFA announced that the Matildas playing in the Asian Cup will be paid between $500 and $1000 per match, as well as six-month retainers of up to $17,000.

Which is massive.

While their male counterparts undoubtedly get paid much larger amounts, it's a giant leap forward for Australian female footballers, many of whom don't get paid and who work casual and part-time jobs - and sometimes more than one at a time - in order to fund their lives and careers.

Five hundred-odd dollars per game doesn't go a long way and I'd bet that not one of the 23 Matildas who'll receive it will, as a result, be comfortable enough to throw in said jobs. But it will help them cover their rent while they're away. It will help them cover their car registrations and servicing. It will help them relax into their game.

Indeed, what we rarely think about is the fact that our national female players have to date currently achieved their success in spite of having to work casually elsewhere in order to fund their true careers; in spite of having to fit training and playing around work; in spite of travelling as much as their male counterparts sans the financial perks.

Can you imagine just how well they'll play - and how good the W-League will be - when they have perhaps more time or at least more piece of financial mind to dedicate to concentrating on the football? Can you imagine how many more opportunities it will present to both them and future female footballers? That perhaps one day they'll be able to actually call themselves 'professional' footballers in the true, financial sense of the word? That perhaps instead of heading to paying European or American women's leagues, they'll be able to viably stay playing in Australia?

Even better, this agreement is just the start. A new arrangement will be negotiated by July that will take the Matildas through to the 2012 Olympics (where we will all be continually amused by that logo). The agreement demonstrates that by showing (and promising to continue to show) the Matildas the money, they're showing their respect for and confidence in the future of Australian women's football.

I say bring on the group-of-death Asian Cup. And bring on Australian women's footballing future.