Countdown to the Women's World Cup: 10 days to go

Get excited. The FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ is almost with us, with just 10 days to go until the tournament kicks off at Parc des Princes in Paris.

The opening fixture will see hosts France take on Korea Republic at 9.00pm local time on 7 June (5.00am, 8 June, AEST), with the Westfield Matildas in action for the first time when they face Italy in Valenciennes on 9 June at 1.00pm local time (9.00pm AEST).

www.matildas.com.au is running a series of features counting down the days until the Westfield Matildas begin their seventh World Cup challenge, continuing today with No.10...

World Cup Countdown_10 days to go_graphic


CUP COUNTDOWN: 2827262524232221201918171615, 141312, 11 days to go
WATCH: My Westfield Matildas Story, with Sam Kerr

World Cup Countdown_10 days to go_Sarah Walsh v Ghana
Sarah Walsh goes for goal against Ghana in 2007

The step up from playing continental football to competing on the global stage meant that – despite going close – by the time the 2007 Women's World Cup came around the Westfield Matildas had gone three tournaments without recording a victory. 

At the 1995 World Cup in Sweden, new girls Australia were offered some tough lessons about life at the elite level and four years later, in the USA, they showed they had learned them by earning their first point in the competition with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Ghana in their opening Group D clash.  

How to watch the FIFA Women's World Cup

By the time 2003 came around, the Westfield Matildas were beginning to establish themselves at this level, earning a draw with a powerful China team but failing to progress past the group stage once more. 

The red-letter day came on September 12, 2007, at the Yellow Dragon Stadium in Huangzhou, China, when – at the 10th attempt – Australia's women recorded a historic first win at the World Cup. 

Sarah Walsh, Lisa De Vanna (two) and Heather Garriock were on the scoresheet as Ghana were put to the sword 4-1 in Group C in a tournament where the Westfield Matildas reached the knockout stages for the first time – going all the way to the quarter-finals before losing 3-2 to Brazil. 

READ MORE: Yallop expecting unrivalled atmosphere in France as World Cup nears
WATCH: The time is now, says record goalscorer Lisa De Vanna

GET TO KNOW THE SQUAD: Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, forwards

World Cup Countdown_10_Heather Garriock Australia v Ghana 2007
Heather Garriock in action for Australia against Ghana at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ – Group C – Australia Matches

Australia v Italy
Date: Sunday, 9 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes
Kick-off: 9.00pm AEST (1.00pm local time, same day)

Australia v Brazil
Date: Friday, 14 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 2.00am AEST (6.00pm local time, Thursday 13 June)

Jamaica v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Kick-off: 5.00am AEST (9.00pm local time, Tuesday 18 June)

Click below to #GetOnside for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ in Australia

getonsidethin