FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: As spirited Ireland crashes out at Group stage
It’s an early exit for Ireland as they lose to Canada in a closely fought contest in Perth. Photograph: Aitor Alcalde/FIFA/Getty Images
By Ed Emeanua
Line Ups
Canada XI: Sheridan; Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence; Quinn, Grosso; Huitema, Fleming, Leon; Viens
Ireland XI: Brosnan; Fahey, Louise Quinn, Connolly; Payne, O’Sullivan, Littlejohn, McCabe; Farrelly, Carusa, Lucy
Canada Women’s national team roared back from a goals down in Australia to defeat hard fighting Ireland 2-1 at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup at Perth Rectangular Stadium, Australia on Wednesday.
Ireland has now crashed out of the Group of Death and the FIFA Women’s World cup after losing two straight group games, the second, against Canada.
While Canada’s first game at the Women’s World Cup ended in a goalless draw with Nigeria, the Ireland lost their Group’s opening game by a lone goal to Australia
Vera Pauw’s side will now regroup to face host Nigeria in their last group game which will be a mere formality match for the Irish women but could still bode much more significance for their African opponent.
The match got off to a terrific start for the Irish, who took the lead when Katie McCabe scored directly from a corner in the opening 3 minutes. Canada scored on either side of the half to thaw the opponet’s resistance and secure victory over the Republic of Ireland!
Bev Priestman’s Canada looked out of sorts in a poor first half, but managed to find the equalizer with a rather lucky goal that Ireland should not have conceded.
Canada scores on either side of the half to secure victory over the Republic of Ireland! 🇨🇦#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/zwN9c9q68a
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 26, 2023
However, a different Canada side emerged after the break, with head coach Priestman ringing the changes and bringing in Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt and Shelina Zadorsky, who immediately made the difference. With Canada now on the ascendancy, Adrianna Leon scored when Ireland failed to convincingly deal with a pesky through ball behind their defense.
With the final whistle came the realization that it’s all over in Perth, where Canada successfully terminated Ireland’s interest in their very first ever World Cup. The win materialized from an resurgent second half showing from the Olympic champions.
But the Irish will take home with them the consolation of a valiant performance but the lesson of the concession of two very sloppy goals that cost them dearly.
Ireland’s remaining group game of the tournament against Nigeria will, for them at least, be nothing more than a dead rubber but a win will be gladdening.