Excitement is building in Perth as the Republic of Ireland prepare for their crunch Women’s World Cup match against Olympic champions Canada.
Last week, over 82,000 fans packed into the sold-out Stadium Australia in Sydney for the Ireland women’s team’s first-ever match in a competitive tournament.
The Girls in Green lost 1-0 to the Australian hosts, but forward Kyra Carusa said the result has "lit a fire" under the team ahead of today's game.
"[It showed] the ability, the dangers we have in us, throughout an entire game," she said.
Manager Vera Pauw and Kyra Carusa during yesterday's press conference, 'date 25-07-23'. Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile🗣 "This is where she wants to be. On the big stage." @kathleen_mcn ran into Abbie Larkin's parents and family outside the ground in Perth and it's safe to say they were BEAMING with pride for their daughter | ☘ pic.twitter.com/JAJwMZG0gt
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) July 26, 2023
The team will need at least a draw against Canada to keep their hopes of progressing passed the group stage alive.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Manager Vera Pauw said the team are under no illusions about what's required of them today.
"Winning starts with not losing and that is a very cliche but very much true," she said.
"If you play a game like this against Olympic champions, you have to stay realistic.
"It's clear that [if] we want to go through this group then we need a result."
Jamie Finn and Amber Barrett during a team walk ahead of the match between Canada and Republic of Ireland, date 26-07-23. Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Megan Connolly and goalkeeper Megan Walsh during a team walk ahead of the match between Canada and Republic of Ireland, date 26-07-23. Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Manager Vera Pauw during a team walk ahead of the match between Canada and Republic of Ireland, date 26-07-23. Image: Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileSome key players have suffered injuries –including stalwart defender Louise Quinn, who injured her foot and blackened her eye during Thursday's game.
The Birmingham City defender attended full contact training yesterday and will take to the pitch this afternoon.
Defender Heather Payne was pictured with a strapping on her right leg during yesterday's session.
Louise Quinn during a Republic of Ireland training session, date 24-07-23. Image: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
A general view of the Republic of Ireland dressing room date 26-07-23. Image: Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileAs one of the eight World Cup debutants, Ireland not only broke records in terms of crowd supporters – but an unprecedented number of viewers tuned in to watch them take to the stage.
FIFA Media has reported that an average audience of more than half-a-million viewers tuned in to watch Thursday's game.
Viewership figures so far are more than double the highest audience recorded during the 2019 World Cup.
Some 77% of the population who were watching television as the game aired were tuned in – the highest live share for any FIFA World Cup Match in Ireland's history.
Match ready for 1pm RTE 2 💚#COYGIG #IrlvCan #Outbelieve @SkyIreland @FAIreland pic.twitter.com/VGUaGaN2iV
— Róisín Ingle ❤️😊 (@roisiningle) July 26, 2023
Republic of Ireland supporters Sinead and Mike Daly, from Killimer, Clare, date 26-07-23. Image: Mick O'Shea/Sportsfile511,000 people tuned in for Ireland's opening game against Australia in #FWWC2023
77% audience share, 360,000 live streams and second highest viewership ever on RTÉ.
Don’t miss tomorrow's game against Canada!
🇨🇦v 🇮🇪
⏰ | KO 13:00
📺 | LIVE on RTÉ2#COYGIG pic.twitter.com/54H937Nn71— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 25, 2023
Team Walk in Perth 👊#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/bwmLQEYMtg
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 26, 2023
From the Irish embassy in Finland to the stars of 'Home and Away', the Irish team have supporters in all corners of the world for their deciding match this afternoon.
Must be match-day!
The historic journey continues ☘️
next up Canada 🍁⚽️ | 🇨🇦 v 🇮🇪
📍 | Perth Rectangular Stadium
⏰ | 15:00 (Finnish Time)
📺 | 🇫🇮 YLE TV2 / Woolshed Australian Gastropub (Helsinki)#COYGIG #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/PXAGdiygxs— IrishEmbassyFinland (@IrishEmbFinland) July 26, 2023
🇮🇪 Our World Cup adventure continues as the girls in green take on Canada this afternoon. The country rises again in support of this wonderful team. Let’s cheer so loudly for them today that they will hear us down under! You’ve got this, ladies. #COYGIG #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/MkStjzP3NL
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 26, 2023
We’re not the only ones cheering on the Girls in Green tonight! ⚽️🙌
Our favs John, Alf and Irene over at #Summerbay share a special message 🏄🌞💚
(Apologies for the quality they're filming on location at the Surf Club!)@HomeandAwayTV @FAIWomen #COYGIG @Channel7 #Homeandaway pic.twitter.com/gfxBGQB8r3
— Consulate General of Ireland, Sydney (@IrelandSydney) July 26, 2023
Kickoff for the Ireland vs Canada game is at 1pm Irish time (8pm local time) at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth and will be available to watch on RTÉ.
Main image shows a general view of Perth Rectangular Stadium. Photo by FAI Women
