The third match of Matchday 7, Canada vs Republic of Ireland is scheduled to take place at HBF Park, Perth. Both the teams, having drawn their previous respective matches are yet to win a match in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and would be looking to change that. Let's take a look at what we can expect from this match.
Date : 26/07/2023 (Wednesday, July 26)
Venue : HBF Park, Perth, Australia
Time : 10:00 pm
IST : 5:30 pm
Live streaming : Fancode and DD sports
Canada did not get off to a great start at FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. They were held to a goalless draw by Nigeria, who had their goalkeeper to thank for saving a Christine Sinclair penalty. Bev Priestman must be concerned by the fact that Canada have just won one of their 6 encounters and are winless in three consecutive matches.
After failing to score against Nigeria and in their Round of 16 defeat in the hands of Sweden at 2019 Women's World Cup, they are now at the brink of going three World Cup games without a goal for the first time in their history. Their perform against Nigeria was average and a point was all they deserved.
"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.
Meanwhile, Ireland delivered played well in their defeat against Australia. They showed the World that they're not here to mess around and showed real characters against the Matildas. Steph Catley's penalty in the second half gave the co-host Australia the lead which Republic of Ireland was unable to recover. They are the only team in Group B who were unable to gain a point in their first Matchday.
This is a do-or-die match for Republic of Ireland. If they lose against Canada, they are gonna be facing elimination at the start of their last Matchday. So they've to play accordingly. They know, they've a lot of quality players in their ranks who can make a difference but they've to turn up against Canada in order to keep Ireland's hope in this World Cup alive.
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.
Canada Women possible starting lineup:
Sheridan; Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence; Fleming, Grosso; Rose, Sinclair, Leon; Huitema.
Ireland Women possible starting lineup:
Brosnan; Fahey, Lo. Quinn, Connolly; Payne, O'Sullivan, Littlejohn, McCabe; Farrelly, Sheva, Carusa.
