A sell-out crowd in Eindhoven for Sunday morning’s (AEST) friendly with the Netherlands serves as perfect preparation for the Westfield Matildas to hit the FIFA Women’s World Cup running, according to Ellie Carpenter.
Australia play their final pre-World Cup hit-out the 35,000-capacity Philips Stadion, the home of Eredivisie outfit PSV Eindhoven and current Caltex Socceroo Trent Sainsbury.
There are hopes that the fixture will set a new attendance record for a women’s football match in the Netherlands, which is currently 30,238.
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It is likely to be one of the biggest crowds some Westfield Matildas have ever encountered – eclipsing the 52,000 in attendance for Australia’s quarter final loss to tournament hosts Brazil at the 2016 Olympic Games in Belo Horizonte.
Carpenter, 19, is relishing a cauldron-like atmosphere generated by Eindhoven’s football fanatics, and believes it will hold Ante Milicic’s side in good stead for similar challenges they may face in France.
“It’s the perfect preparation. I don’t think many girls have played in front of a crowd as big as this,” Carpenter told www.matildas.com.au.
“We expect it to be sold out so we’re buzzing for that.
“They’re a great team and they’re definitely contenders in the World Cup and it’s great to have this hit-out to get us ready and to get us rolling in.”
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MATCH PREVIEW: Netherlands v Westfield Matildas
How to watch
Don’t miss a second of Sunday morning’s final pre-World Cup friendly against the Netherlands. The match will broadcast live on FOX SPORTS and on SBS VICELAND, as well as on the My Football Live App.
You can also follow all the build-up and live updates at www.matildas.com.au, or on the Westfield Matildas’ Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.