Matildas star Caitlin Foord has urged Australian supporters to turn up the volume in an effort to drive their side to Women’s World Cup glory on home soil.
Young gun Mary Fowler’s second-half strike gave Tony Gustavsson’s outfit a 1-0 victory over France on Friday in their final tune-up for the international showpiece.
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The Matildas were also winners off the field, with a record-breaking home crowd of 50,629 fans on hand at Marvel Stadium.
It eclipsed the previous mark of 36,109, set in a 2021 friendly against USA.
The record is certain to be smashed again when the Matildas open their WWC campaign against the Republic of Ireland at Sydney’s 82,000-seat Accor Stadium on Thursday.
Foord wants Australian fans to use their voices, as well as their feet.
“It was good obviously to have that many people, but I do hope going into next week and the weeks after that it’s louder,” Foord said.
“We need to hear them and I do hope that ramps up going into the World Cup.
“Obviously, when we scored it was loud – but we need it to be louder.”
As the visitors celebrated Bastille Day, France’s national day, one Australian fan’s homemade banner encouraged the Matildas to “eat those croissants”.
They did, at least metaphorically, as Fowler’s neat first touch and cool 66th-minute strike brought home supporters to their feet.
The 20-year-old was the Matildas’ matchwinner but skipper Sam Kerr remains a clear fans’ favourite.
There were shrieks of excitement every time Kerr, her country’s record goalscorer, went near the ball during her 61 minutes on the pitch.
The turn-out made an impact on Matildas winger Hayley Raso, who provided the assist for Fowler’s goal.
“To see everybody in the green and gold, to see a packed stadium; I think we thrive on that,” Raso said.
“You see tonight, having them behind us was like a 12th man. So to come out in front of more next week, we’re all really looking forward to it.
“Sold out crowd and it’s such a big stadium, I think we’ll thrive.”
All three of the Matildas’ World Cup group games are already sold out.
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