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Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson believes friendly opponents France have given Australia a helping hand ahead of the Women's World Cup.
- The Matildas take on France tonight in a sold-out friendly at Docklands, with 50,000 expected to attend
- The match comes six days out from Australia's opening Women's World Cup match against Ireland in Sydney
- Australia is grouped with Ireland, Nigeria and Canada, with the Matildas one of the favourites to claim the cup
The Matildas take on the world number five at a sold-out Docklands Stadium tonight at 7:30pm AEST.
Herve Renard's charges recently beat Canada and Ireland, providing Australia with a strong blueprint for how to take on two of their three group-stage opponents.
As well as providing invaluable research material, France will also pose a terrific test on the field.
"We didn't know they were going to play Canada and Ireland," Gustavsson said.
"That was a very good bonus for us.
"We got a lot of good pictures of France but more so about our group-stage opponents. We've looked at a lot of video.
"When it comes to why we're playing France, it's part of the bigger plan that we've prepped for, for years — meaning we need to play top opposition, European opposition, and make sure that we measure ourselves against those top teams.
"France is one of the few (top) teams that we haven't played under my tenure. So I'm really happy to get the chance to do that as well."
Loading...Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter plays her club football at Lyon alongside several of France's squad.
"(It's) extra-special for me, I get to play against some of my teammates who I know very well," she said.
"I'm excited to see them and I can't wait for the battle."
France coach Renard, who was in charge of Saudi Arabia's men's team at last year's World Cup in Qatar, is looking forward to playing the hosts in front of more than 50,000 fans in Melbourne.
"This is a very good context to start this World Cup," he said.
"If the stadium is full, it's a good (preparation).
"We know it will be a very difficult game but it's perfect for us.
"We have to be ready to start very well and to play a very good World Cup in Australia.
"Tomorrow it will be another stage against one of the favourites of this Women's World Cup."
France are wary of the Australians too but Renard said his side would remain focused on their own performance
"They improved a lot. They have a coach with big experience, especially with women's football. So it's exciting," Renard said of the Matildas.
"We know (Sam Kerr is) a very good striker. She did very well also at Chelsea. Of course she's the leader of this team.
"(But) we are thinking of ourselves first."
Join Samantha Lewis at abc.net.au/sport tonight as ABC Sport live blogs Australia's sold out warm-up clash with France in Melbourne
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