Matildas to meet Denmark as FIFA Women’s World Cup preparations step up

The Matildas have added a second match to their October schedule as they continue to prepare for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has welcomed a match against Denmark. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

The Matildas’ preparations for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will include a match next month against Denmark.

Having already secured a game against South Africa in London on October 8, the Matildas – who lost twice on home soil this month to Canada – will back up on October 12 (AEST) against the Danes in Midtjylland.

“Having faced them in my early days with the team, we are all well aware of the quality of Denmark,” Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said.

“Their quality is demonstrated in Denmark’s significant number of world-class players in the top teams and leagues.

“In South Africa and Denmark, we have a chance to experience that difference in styles just days apart, which will be our reality at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“As a team, it’s a great challenge in how we transition quickly in a tournament with only a short turnaround.”

Coach Tony Gustavsson is happy the Matildas have more matches locked in before next year’s FIFA Women's World Cup. Picture: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

Meanwhile, Matildas captain Sam Kerr’s English Women’s Super League season has begun on a disappointing note, with her Chelsea side suffered a shock 2-1 loss to newly promoted Liverpool.

Kerr had a goal disallowed in the reigning champions’ loss at Prenton Park.

Fellow competition heavyweight Manchester City, who Matildas pair Mary Fowler and Hayley Raso enter the game as second-half substitutes, also went down, 4-3 to Aston Villa, whose match-day squad included Australian attacker Emily Gielnik.

There was better news for Matildas attacker Caitlin Foord, who scored in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Brighton.

Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was also a winner, with her West Ham side beating Everton 1-0, while another of the Matildas playing in England, Kyah Simon, tasted victory in Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat of Leicester City.

Originally published as Matildas to meet Denmark as FIFA Women’s World Cup preparations step up