NewsBite

Women’s Football World Cup: Matildas set to face The Netherlands in front of sell-out crowd

The Matildas status as one of the teams to watch at the Women’s World Cup has captured the attention of the Dutch, with more than 25,000 tickets being sold for the friendly against The Netherlands.

Coach Ante Milicic at the Westfield Matildas' training camp in Turkey

A full house awaits the Matildas for their pre-World Cup away friendly against the Netherlands on Sunday (EST), giving Australia a bumper preparation for their campaign in France.

The Matildas’ status as one of the teams to watch at the World Cup has captured the attention of Eindhoven’s football-mad locals.

More than 25,000 tickets have been sold for the 35,000-capacity venue, the Philips Stadion, with hopes it will sell out.

The Matildas have had an intensive build-up to the Women’s World Cup.
The Matildas have had an intensive build-up to the Women’s World Cup.

For some squad members, the friendly could feature the largest crowd they’ve played in front of.

The biggest attendance to a Matildas match in recent years was 52,000 for their 2016 Olympic Games quarter final loss to hosts Brazil in Belo Horizonte.

It will also mark a dramatic upswing in preparations after an experimental scratch match with a Turkish under-15 boys side on Saturday.

Ante Milicic fielded the majority of his side in three taxing 30-minute periods against Altinordu FK, played in the searing heat of Antalya, the Turkish resort city the team have called home for 10 days.

The squad was then rewarded with a day off in which players went to the beach, a water park, tried their hand at bowling and simply unwound.

After two more days of training, the Matildas will hit the road as they relocate to the Netherlands.

Ante Milicic gas given his side time off leading into the friendly in Holland.
Ante Milicic gas given his side time off leading into the friendly in Holland.

Chloe Logarzo, one of the few players picked by for the World Cup yet to play under Milicic, said the clash with the Oranjevrouwn would be terrific preparation.

“It’s going to be good for us, especially for the younger ones if they haven’t played in front of that many people; it will be a good experience for them,” she said.

“We have got to take it not just as a practice match but really take it in our strides and use it as good leverage (for the World Cup).”

The Netherlands are reigning European champions, boast world-class striker Lieke Martens and are one of the dark horses for the World Cup.

The match kicks off at 2.15am (EST).

Originally published as Women’s Football World Cup: Matildas set to face The Netherlands in front of sell-out crowd

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/swoop/womens-football-world-cup-matildas-set-to-face-the-netherlands-in-front-of-sellout-crowd/news-story/e43e9e6c4a169befc1c289c8509163bb