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Matildas to play Netherlands in final World Cup warm-up

The Matildas will complete their preparation for the 2019 Women's World Cup in France with a friendly against the Netherlands at Phillips Stadium in Eindhoven on June 1.

The match will take place eight days before Ante Milicic's women take on Italy in their World Cup opener in Valenciennes on June 9.

Matildas coach Ante Milicic.

Matildas coach Ante Milicic.Credit:AAP

The Netherlands, who are ranked No.8 in the world, have also qualified for the World Cup, where they have been drawn in a group with New Zealand, Cameroon and Canada.

The Matildas have been in camp in the USA, having lost 5-3 to the Americans in an eight goal thriller last Friday.

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They will complete their preparations for the World Cup in camp in Turkey before taking on the Dutch women.

Milicic said the match with the Netherlands would "come at a perfect time for our team.

"We will have completed our 10-day training camp in Turkey where the focus will be on embedding our style of play and tactical principles.

"With this match against a strong opponent coming a week before our first game in France, we will be able to get a good gauge of what aspects of our approach need to be fine-tuned prior to the start of the Womens World Cup."

The build-up to the World Cup will be different for wonder teen Mary Fowler, who will be in Myanmar this month as she hunts goals to press her claims for France.

As other Australians show their wares in the US-based National Womens Soccer League, Spains La Liga, or at home, Fowlers youth gives her a different opportunity.

The 16-year-old will head to Myanmar under assistant coach Gary van Egmond for the Young Matildas for an Asian qualifying campaign.

Mary Fowler will press her World Cup claims in Myanmar.

Mary Fowler will press her World Cup claims in Myanmar.Credit:PA

Fowler will lead the line for Australia, knowing a bag of goals will do her case for inclusion the world of good.

"Its an important tournament for me to show that I am a goalscorer," she said.

"Last time I went into a young Matildas camp I came out golden boot and thats exactly what I plan on doing this time."

Playing against lowly-ranked youth sides from Uzbekistan, Nepal and the hosts Read More – Source

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