Canada hopes to break their winless hoodoo against the defensively stubborn Republic of Ireland team in the second match of Group C.
CAN-W vs IRE-W Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Time: 17:30 (IST) / 22:00 (NZST)
Venue: Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth
CAN-W vs IRE-W Match Preview
Canada were halted by Nigeria in the scoreless draw in their 2023 Women’s World Cup opener. In a game that saw Christine Sinclair’s penalty expertly saved by Nigeria’s keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie five minutes after the break. By the time Nigeria went down to 10 players with Deborah Abiodun’s high stud challenge on Ashley Lawrence in the ninety-plus eight minutes of the stoppage time, it was too late. Canada failed to beat the African nation at the Women’s World Cup stage yet again but they remain unbeaten in three consecutive tournament opener now. Beverly Priestman’s side showed their defensive solidity again but not raising some eyebrows. An error from goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan in the first half almost gave Asisat Oshoala to give Nigeria the lead intervened on the line by Vanessa Gilles. Managing just a shot on target from 11 that too from the spot needs to improve knowing they will face a stubborn Ireland team in the next match. Also winning just once in their last six matches will be a big concern heading into the next clash. They are now at risk of going three World Cup games without a goal for the first time in their history having not found the net in their last 16 exit in 2019. Canada will want Jessie Fleming to be fit in time for the clash after missing the opener to provide the service for goals.
Ireland will want those records don’t change to restrict Canada to have a foot into the knockout round and keep themselves in contention. They will take hearts from the fact that it was only a penalty goal from Steph Catley which confined them to a 1-0 defeat against co-hosts Australia in their debut match in the Women’s World Cup. The Girls in Green might have raised their spirit knowing the Matildas' record-scorer Sam Kerr was out with an injury which helped them put in a robust performance. Ireland could have snatched a point towards the end of the match putting the 10th-ranked nation in all kinds of pressure. Led by the battling Katie McCabe, Vera Pauw's will wish to do the same against a side 15 places above them and carrying the favourites tag. This time they want to get something out of the game because another defeat will surely show them the exit door irrespective of the performance. A positive will give them a chance although losing four of the last six matches with only one win is an unwanted record Ireland are carrying into the match. Registering just one shot on target in the opener and lacking a cutting edge in attack will not take them far in the tournament. They have scored just three goals this year and that too in one match in the 3-2 friendly win over Zambia, also their only victory in 2023.
Recent Form (All Comp)
CAN-W: DDLLW
IRE-W: LLWLL
Recent Form (World Cup)
CAN-W: D
IRE-W: L
CAN-W vs IRE-W Predicted Lineups
CAN-W: Sheridan; Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence; Fleming, Grosso; Rose, Sinclair, Leon; Huitema
IRE-W: Brosnan; Fahey, Lo. Quinn, Connolly; Payne, O'Sullivan, Littlejohn, McCabe; Farrelly, Sheva, Carusa
CAN-W vs IRE-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Sheridan (7.5)
DEF: Quinn (9), Lawrence (8.5), Connolly (8.5)
MID: Huitema (6.5), O’Sullivan (9), Grosso (7), McCabe (9)
FW: Barrett (8), Sinclair (9), Leon (8)
Vice-captain: Katie McCabe
Captain: Christine Sinclair
