Hayley Raso says the Westfield Matildas are ready ‘to put on a show’ in Saturday’s pre World Cup friendly against the Netherlands in Eindhoven.
Raso is one of four Roar Women in the Westfield Matildas squad for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France alongside Mackenzie Arnold, Katrina Gorry and Clare Polkinghorne.
The Matildas went through a light session upon their arrival in the Netherlands on Wednesday after travelling from their camp in Turkey via Germany, with two more days of training set to take place before taking the eight-ranked Dutch on Saturday night.
Raso, who is headed to her second FIFA Women’s World Cup after being part of the squad that travelled to Canada in 2015 said her side were at a crucial point of their preparations for the 2019 tournament.
“We have a game in a couple of days and obviously leading up to the World Cup we just need to flush the legs out and maybe go for a run and a light stretch so it’s really important for us.”
The side is set to get an early taste of World Cup atmosphere with more than 25,000 tickets already having been sold for Saturday’s clash at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven.
Raso said Saturday’s friendly would provide the perfect preparation ahead of the Matildas opening game of the World Cup against Italy on June 9.
“We are really excited [about the Netherlands friendly]. It’s coming up quick now,” Raso said.
“It is also good playing against crowds who are maybe more so cheering for the other team.
“It kind of hypes you up and you want to show everybody what you can do. Us girls, we are really looking forward to it and we’re ready to put on a show in front of that big crowd.”
The match which is the Matildas final friendly ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks-off at 2.15am on Sunday AEST (6.15pm Saturday local time).
MATCH DETAILS
International Friendly: The Netherlands v Australia
Sunday, 2 June 2:15am (6:15pm Saturday local time)
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
