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Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson said the Women’s World Cup co-hosts will use the weight of expectations as fuel as they prepare to face France in the final warm-up game before the tournament begins next week.
The Women’s World Cup will begin on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, with Australia’s opening match with Ireland expected to host a record crowd of more than 80,000 in Sydney.
Before taking on Ireland, the Matildas will face France in a sell-out friendly in Melbourne on Friday, where 50,000 fans will be in attendance.
With home advantage playing a huge role, Australian fans expect the team to bid for the title at the World Cup, where the team is in Group B with Ireland, Nigeria and Olympic champions Canada.
Asked about how they plan to deal with the pressure, Gustavsson told reporters on Thursday: “I think we look at it as fuel, as belief.
“That (the big crowds) is a source of strength that this team will embrace. And also use it when we play this high-octane pressing and attacking-minded game.
“Sometimes we’re a bit fatigued and tired in the game – to be carried by the fans, and to be able to put those extra runs in … to be energetic and high intensity, that’s the football we’re always going to play no matter who we play against.”
