Polkinghorne has been involved in three World Cups for Australia, but 2011 will live long in her memory after playing all four games for Australia, in Germany.

The 28-year-old’s 2015 World Cup dream was shattered after injuring her hamstring two days before the opening match against USA.

The Matildas are now in Victoria to take on China in two friendlies in preparation for the 2018 Asian Cup in Jordan.

The defender said she would be lying if she was not eyeing the 2019 World Cup in France.

“I had a pretty disappointing World Cup campaign personally last time, it would be nice to get the opportunity to play in another World Cup,” Polkinghorne told FourFourTwo.

“I think for us as a group, it’s going to be a very exciting time for women’s football in Australia and if the Matildas keep producing the results then the World Cup is going to be a successful tournament.

“Something that I’ve really focused on especially in the last year is to just enjoy my football.

“I think just taking the pressure off yourself and just getting back to the reasons that you play the game has been really important for me and I feel like I’m in a really good place at the moment.”

Polkinghorne co-captained the team with Lisa De Vanna in the 2016 Rio Olympics, however could see the team had matured vastly 12 months on.

The Brisbane Roar defender is also confident the team will be extremely strong by 2019.

“I guess being one of the older players there is that expectation to provide an influence or have an impact on the group, but with the players and people we have in the team, it’s a pretty easy job,” she said.

“They do a lot of it themselves, they’re very mature and they’re very professional as athletes. It’s a privilege to be a part of the group.

“It’s going to be a very tough game (against China) on Wednesday and it’s going to be good to compete against someone who will be fighting for a World Cup spot next year.”