Van Egmond tips tough Algarve Cup test for Westfield Matildas

Westfield Matildas midfielder Emily van Egmond expects a demanding Algarve Cup schedule to serve as the perfect preparation for the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Australia are set to play four games in seven days starting against 14th-ranked Norway on Thursday morning (AEDT).

It will be the squad's first hit-out since signing off from a stellar 2017 in November.

"It's been a decent break now, but going into a tournament always helps because you all have something to look forward to," Van Egmond told matildas.footballaustralia.com.au.

"We've got some quality opposition we're up against in Algarve.

"I think Norway's definitely an up and coming team, they've good some really good individual players.

"And Portugal, I imagine, will get a decent crowd at their game, so it'll be a really good atmosphere to play against."

While expecting a tough challenge on their current assignment, Van Egmond admits the group already have one eye on the Asian Cup in April.

The Westfield Matildas last won the tournament in 2010 and are likely to enter this year's edition as the top-ranked team.

"I don't know if we're going in as the favourites, but I think every game we have before the Asian Cup is definitely in preparation for it," she said.

"We're also playing Thailand in Perth [on 26 March] as well, so that's another game we get up our sleeve."