The top six remained unchanged, with Australia as Asia's best-ranked team after maintaining their position at sixth in the world. Ante Milicic's squad, are in Group C alongside Italy, Brazil and Jamaica for France 2019.

Japan, who are in Group D with England, Scotland and Argentina, moved up a notch to seventh, while DPR Korea, who will not play in France maintained at 11th in the world.

The Steel Roses’ best finish at a World Cup was in 1999 when they finished as runners-up, narrowly losing 5-4 on penalties to the United States after extra time.

Since then, the team reached the quarter-finals on three occasions - in 2003, 2007 and 2015.

The Matildas coach and his staff will use Australia’s camp and friendly in Colorado to give more players an opportunity to impress in the lead up to this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

As such, five players that weren’t part of Milicic’s first squad as Matildas boss have been called up for the match against the USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on 5 April.

AUSTRALIA 3-0 ARGENTINA

Australia made it three wins in three matches in 2019, scoring twice in the opening 33 minutes on the way to a straight-forward victory at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Having come into the match with one hand on the trophy, Australia completed the job with a minimum of fuss, with Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy both punishing slack set-piece defending to score first half goals, before Caitlin Foord added a third from the penalty spot late on.

ALGARVE CUP

CHINA PR 1 NETHERLANDS 1 (NED won 4-2 on penalties)

China PR rounded out a difficult week in Portugal with a penalty shootout defeat after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands to finish 12th out of 12 teams at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.

First half goals from Lucy Staniforth, Karen Carney and Beth Mead took the game away from the Nadeshiko, and ensured Phil Neville's side - with an insurmountable seven points from three matches - became champions at the fourth attempt.

England's win is of particular interest given the two sides will meet the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 group stage, although Japan's line-up in that match is expected to be differ significantly to the one on show in Tampa, which included six starters with less than five international caps.

Yuka Momiki, who scored one goal and set up the remaining two, was the star of the show for the Asian champions, while newcomer Rikako Koboaysahi and Yui Hasegawa also got their names on the scoresheet to cap an impressive display

Japan's win takes them to four points from two matches, putting them in a position to win the tournament should they win in Tuesday's final match against England, who drew 2-2 with the United States in Saturday's later match.