Westfield Matildas excitement grows as China clashes draw near

Only seven days remain until the Westfield Matildas' two-match international series against China gets underway and it seems there's no stopping the current wave of enthusiasm.

The team's self-belief is at an all-time high and is matched by the fans caught up in the excitement.

Bumper crowds turned out for both games in September's entertaining double-header against Brazil and they were not disappointed by back-to-back victories.

It's a sustained run of goodwill which began with the surge to the Quarter-Finals of the 2015 Women's World Cup.

Australia beat Brazil there, too, and knocked them off again at the stunningly successful Tournament of Nations earlier this year.

Alen Stajcic's side also recorded incredible wins over the United States and Japan as the Matildas announced themselves as a new world force.

The return of the national team stars for the new Westfield W-League season, as well as a greater influx of foreign talent than ever before, has maintained the momentum.

And far from being just an exercise in publicity, the China clashes in Melbourne and Geelong carry plenty of weight in a competitive context.

Coach Alen Stajcic has been clear in his vision to win the 2019 Women's World Cup in France.

Before then, in April of next year, comes the Women's Asian Cup, which Australia will attempt to lift for the second time.

Each match on the road to those landmarks is important to making Stajcic's lofty ambition a reality, not to mention a chance for fans to observe an excitement machine in full flight.

Australia's first match against China is at AAMI Park on November 22, before the second fixture is held at Simonds Stadium in Geelong on November 26.