The match
In what looks a highly competitive group, Canada and Republic of Ireland can take a huge step towards a spot in the knockout stages with a win in Perth.
It was a tale of two penalties for these nations in their opening matches, with Christine Sinclair missing a spot kick in the Canadians’ scoreless draw with Nigeria, while a Steph Catley spot-kick proved the difference as the Irish lost 1-0 to the co-hosts.
There has been much consternation in Canada over coach Bev Priestman’s decision not to start influential midfielder Jessie Fleming, as well as that second half penalty miss from veteran forward Sinclair, and the Olympic champions know that another slip-up here could see them struggle to progress from the group.
Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, remain confident of progression and are in positive spirits after they performed well in that defeat to the Matildas in what was their first match at a Women’s World Cup.
Team news
Priestman will be hoping the injury that kept Fleming out of the Nigeria clash will have cleared up enough for her to start. Nichelle Prince and Deanne Rose also continue to build up their fitness following recent injury lay-offs.
There could also be changes up front, with Cloe Lacasse a possible starter having impressed off the bench in the opener.
Republic of Ireland coach Vera Pauw has concerns over defender Louise Quinn, who was wearing a protective boot on the team’s arrival in Perth after picking up a knock against the Matildas. She is the only real concern for the Girls in Green.
Players to watch
Christine Sinclair (Canada) The squad has rallied around the vastly experienced forward after her penalty miss in that opening draw with Nigeria, with Priestman pointing out that Sinclair has scored “goal after goal for this country” and that she did “way more than miss a penalty” in the game.
While it’s not yet do-or-die for Canada. any dropped points here will be hugely damaging. Sinclair, as one of the game’s most decorated players, will be key to getting things back on track, both on an individual and collective level for a Canada side that has failed to score in three of their five competitive matches.
Denise O’Sullivan (Republic of Ireland) The heartbeat of the Republic of Ireland midfield, O’Sullivan has been variously described by teammates and coaches as a “tough cookie,” “junkyard” and “one of the best players in the world”.
She’s now approaching one of the most important matches of her career and will have to be at her best in both defensive and attacking duties if her nation is to remain alive at Australia & New Zealand 2023.
Facts and figures
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Canada have lost only one of their last seven FIFA Women’s World Cup group matches
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Canada have kept five clean sheets in their last seven FIFA Women’s World Cup group matches
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Abbie Larkin is the only teenager in Republic of Ireland’s squad
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In their debut tournament that means that, against Australia, at the age of 18 years and 84 days, Larkin became the youngest ever player for Republic of Ireland at a Women’s World Cup.
Quotes
“This is tournament football, and if I go back to the Olympic Games we won, we started there with a draw. You’ve got to move on very quickly [or else] you can get lost.” Bev Priestman, Canada coach “We expect the same experienced play that they showed against Nigeria. We expect [Jessie] Fleming to play and she will give an extra boost to the team. She’s very creative and she can lift the whole team to another level because of her abilities to play in spaces and get the players beyond the defence. But we’re prepared for that.” Vera Pauw, Republic of Ireland coach
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