Ireland boss, Vera Pauw, feels that her side can put up a challenge against Australia when the teams meet in the opening game of the World Cup group on July 20
"The Girls in Green" will face the co-hosts, the Matildas, at Sydney's Stadium Australia on that Thursday, before playing against Canada in Perth and Nigeria in Brisbane in the following weeks
To prepare for the World Cup opener, Ireland will first face Colombia in an uncapped, behind closed doors game on Friday. After this, there will be no warm-up games, and the long-awaited opening game will take place.
Pauw believes that Ireland has a real chance of matching Australia, but they have to be realistic due to Australia's prestige on the world stage. "We are fully prepared for Australia, but we are realistic. We know the power of Australia is huge; their strength lies in their power," said the 60-year-old.
Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw confirms Katie McCabe is fully fit and expresses satisfaction with the training facilities as the squad begin work at their Women's World Cup base at Meakin Park in Brisbane.@corktod reports from Australia #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/B7v7BGR9qu
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 12, 2023
"They overpower and press everywhere, especially over the wings, the centre, and at the back. It is so difficult to play against. But yeah, we need to deal with that. That is why we're here, that is what we're proud of. I've said that so many times. We will give our all, we will not be afraid, we will not hide because of a fear of failure because we don't have that."
"We always say that we need to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. You've heard players saying that," Pauw added. "But now it is really uncomfortable. Now we really need to fight and be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Everything now is a lot. But that is why we keep things simple, the same as we've always done. We don't make many changes in how we approach things. It will help us to feel more comfortable with the uncomfortable."
Ireland WNT Squad:
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Sinead Farrelly (NJ/NY Gotham), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)
Training Players: Sophie Whitehouse, Harriet Scott, Jamie Finn
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 - Group B
20th July - Australia vs Ireland, Stadium Australia, Sydney, KO 11:00 (Irish Time)
26th July - Canada vs Ireland, Rectangular Stadium, Perth, KO 13:00 (Irish Time)
31st July - Ireland vs Nigeria, Lang Park, Brisbane, KO 11:00 (Irish Time)
