Matildas arrive in France as World Cup draws near

The Matildas have arrived in France ahead of kick-off at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.

After training on the outskirts of Eindhoven in the Netherlands on Wednesday morning, the team travelled by bus three hours south to the squad’s first match city, Valenciennes in northern France, in the afternoon. 

Upon arrival in Valenciennes, Australia’s players and staff were welcomed by members of FIFA’s Local Organising Committee as well as local government officials. 

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The group also received gifts from local children, and witnessed a display from a French orchestra.  

Attacker Hayley Raso said the welcome struck a chord with the Matildas. 

“I think with all of the special welcome it is exciting and it kind of makes you feel that you are here and you are ready to go,” Raso said. 

“Now that we are here we do focus on Italy and we all can’t wait to get out there and play.

We are hoping that everybody in Australia gets behind us and gets up and watches all our games, and hopefully we put on a good show for them.

"Our game [against Italy] is coming up and we need to get back on the training pitch and preparing.”

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)

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