The match
Expect a feverish atmosphere and an intriguing on-pitch battle when the tournament co-hosts clash with Women’s World Cup debutantes Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia. The Matildas’ sights will be fixed on igniting their campaign with an opening-day success, but they will face a stern examination against Vera Pauw’s resilient and well-drilled team. Indeed, when the teams previously faced off in a Dublin friendly in September 2021, Ireland beat Australia 3-2. Backed by a sold-out crowd in Sydney, will Australia thrill their adoring home fans with a victory, or could the Girls in Green spoil the party?
Team news
Australia coach Tony Gustavsson is hopeful Tameka Yallop will be available after sustaining a knock to her knee in last Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over France. Alanna Kennedy should be available after sustaining cramp in that match, which was her first international since September after a period out through injury. Gustavsson boasts a wealth of exciting attacking options and looks set to line-up with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 formation.
For Ireland, key midfielder Denise O’Sullivan is in contention to start having returned to training following a shin injury. Coach Pauw tends to a favour playing three central defenders with supporting wing-backs, and will aim to be solid, compact and hard to break down. Women’s World Cup play-off hero Amber Barrett is set to spearhead their attack.
Players to watch
Sam Kerr (Australia)
The pressure on Kerr’s shoulders will be heavy when she leads out Australia in their opening game – but the evidence overwhelmingly suggests she will rise to the occasion. She netted five times at the previous Women’s World Cup and is among the favourites for the Golden Boot this time around. At club and international level, the Chelsea star’s exceptional predatory instincts regularly decide high-stakes contests. Remarkably, she has scored in the past three Women’s FA Cup finals, netting braces in two of those matches.
Katie McCabe (Republic of Ireland)
McCabe’s status as Ireland’s most important and influential player is underlined by the fact she has captained her country since the age of 21. Now 27, she is in the prime of her career and arrives Down Under on the back of an outstanding campaign for Arsenal, where she was named the Women’s Super League club’s Player of the Season. McCabe, who is comfortable operating in any position on the left flank, combines wonderful technique with a ferocious work-rate and an unquenchable competitive fire.
Facts and figures
- Australia have progressed through to the knockout phase at each of the last four editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- The Matildas’ best-ever performance at the tournament is reaching the quarter-finals, which they achieved in three successive tournaments (2007, 2011 and 2015).
- Sam Kerr is one of only three players, along with Michelle Akers and Alex Morgan, to score four or more goals in a single Women’s World Cup match. She netted all Australia’s goals in their 4-1 win over Jamaica at France 2019.
- Ireland earned their place at Australia & New Zealand 2023 with a 1-0 victory away to Scotland in a UEFA qualification play-off after, finishing second in their group behind Sweden.
- Although they have no experience of a senior Women’s World Cup, some of the current squad featured when Ireland reached the quarter-finals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ in 2010.
- Ireland recorded their biggest-ever victory in an international fixture when they defeated Georgia 11-0 in November 2021 in their Women’s World Cup qualifying group.
Quotes
“It [the opening game] is going to be a pinch-yourself kind of moment. I think the first moments will be quite emotional, with all our family and friends and fans. And to sing the national anthem is always special. It’s exciting – the opportunity for us to host the World Cup and show what Australia is about.”
Caitlin Foord, Australia
“We are definitely embracing the role of being the underdogs. We know that this is a really tough group and having the opening game of the tournament against the hosts is an incredible opportunity. We’re ready to give [the Matildas] our best game – we’ve shown that we are capable of competing with the top teams in the world, and this should be no exception.”
Marissa Sheva, Republic of Ireland
