Australia 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland | 2023 - FIFA Women's World Cup | 999948373

FIFA Women's World Cup Group B | Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia

20 Jul 2023 11:00

Australia 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland

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Preview
Lineups
Minute by Minute Commentary
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REPORT | Australia 1-0 WNT

A second-half penalty from Steph Catley spoiled the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team's debut at FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 as they lost 1-0 at Stadium Australia.

20th Jul 2023

Vera Pauw's team held the co-hosts scoreless in the first period but conceded a spot-kick on 52 minutes, which Arsenal defender Catley smashed into the roof of the net.

Ireland responded to that set-back by being more daring in their approach play and put the Australians under a lot of pressure, especially late on, but they could not find that goal to level matters.

This Group B opener was always going to be a tight affair so it was hardly surprising that the crowd of 75,784 fans had few clear-cut goalscoring chances to get excited about.

Australia took a few shots from distance but never truly troubled goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, while Katrina Gorry showed her class in periods as she kept Ruesha Littlejohn and Denise O'Sullivan on their toes.

Ireland had a couple of half chances with Kyra Carusa and Marissa Sheva causing panic at times and captain Katie McCabe was constantly shutting down counter attacks and sparking her own team's surge forward.

After Catley converted the penalty, Australia rallied for a few minutes and pushed Ireland back. But that only got the Girls in Green fired up and they started to wreak havoc with Heather Payne excelling on the right flank.

A Louise Quinn header late on almost sealed a draw, while McCabe and Payne could have made a better connection with attempted efforts. That goal that their positive display merited never came.

Ireland will now travel to Perth to take on Canada on July 26h.

Australia: Mackenzie Arnold; Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley; Hayley Raso, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Cortnee Vine (Emily Van Egmond 75); Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler (Clare Polkinghorne 85).

Ireland: Courteny Brosnan; Heather Payne, Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe (captain); Sinead Farrelly (Abbie Larkin 63), Denise O’Sullivan, Ruesha Littlejohn, Marissa Sheva (Lucy Quinn 63); Kyra Carusa (Izzy Atkinson 88).

Referee: Edina Alves Batista (Brazil).

PREVIEW | Australia v WNT

It’s finally here. The co-opening game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will see the Ireland Women’s National Team make their major tournament debut.

19th Jul 2023

As 11 players in green jerseys take to the pitch, spectators in the 82,500-capacity Stadium Australia, TV viewers from nations all around the world and those gathered at watch parties at Grassroots clubs across the country will all be tuned in.

This is when Vera Pauw’s history-makers start the first part of cementing their legacy. It’s not to be missed.

MATCH DETAILS
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Group B
Australia v Ireland
Thursday, July 20
Stadium Australia, Sydney
KO 20:00 (11:00 Irish Time)
LIVE on RTÉ2

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Edina Alves (Brazil)
Assistant Referee: Neuza Back (Brazil)
Assistant Referee: Leila Cruz (Brazil)
Fourth Official: Maria Carvajal (Chile)
VAR Official: Daiane Muniz (Brazil)
VAR Assistant: Juan Soto (Venezuela)
Offside VAR Official: Mariana De Almedia (Argentina)

TEAM NEWS
Ireland have a fully fit squad to select from with midfielder Denise O’Sullivan having come through training sessions in recent days following an injury scare.

MANAGER QUOTES – Vera Pauw
“As a team, we have always held the belief that something only appears to be impossible the moment it proves to be impossible. What that means is that you must believe in yourself, embrace tougher challenges and step forward to trust that you are ready to fulfil your dreams. We did just that to qualify for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023; now we must be brave once again to make the most of this fantastic opportunity of competing in the world’s best competition.

“We might be on the other side of the world, but we feel the support of everyone in Ireland. We stand on the shoulders of the players, coaches, staff members and officials who drove women and girls’ football forward over the last 50 years. We carry the hopes of girls and boys wanting their heroes to perform well. We get to show that the endless hours of coaching and encouragement from Grassroots volunteers that helped to shape our players was worth it. And we are able to give back to those in Irish football who have helped shape this incredible journey.

“Our preparation is complete. Our motivation is intact. And our game-plan is set. We are ready. We just hope that we can do the people of Ireland proud. This is our time.”

NOTES

Australia are taking part in their eighth FIFA Women’s World Cup. It’s also their eighth in a row, with the only tournament they missed being the inaugural edition in 1991.
Ireland are one of eight teams making their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year, alongside Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam and Zambia. They beat Scotland in a play-off to reach the 2023 tournament.
There are 12 places between the two teams in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings as France are currently 10th while Ireland are in 22nd.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN | #AUSIRL

The countdown to the Republic of Ireland's opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup against Australia has already begun.

5th Feb 2023

Vera Pauw's team were drawn into Group B alongside the co-hosts of the tournament and they will meet in the Sydney Football Stadium on Thursday, July 20th.

TICKET INFORMATION
The application process to secure tickets in the 'Ireland section' is now closed.

Single Match Passes on public sale from February 24 can be purchased here

UPDATES
Stay up to date with all of the news concering the Ireland WNT by subscribing to the Fan Republic digital newsletter

STADIUM
Stadium Australia
City: Sydney / Gadigal
Capacity: 82,500
Schedule: Group Stages games x6; Round of 16 games x1
Distance to Airport: 12km

STADIUM ACCESS
Gates open at 18.00 (two hours before kick-off)

The Stadium is accessible on Public transport. Matchday public transport is free for all ticket holders. Note travel from domestic and International airports is not included in the free matchday public transport.

Stadium Australia is located 17 Kilometres from downtown Sydney. It is accessible by train, regular bus services and special event bus services.

This planning tool can be used to plan your journey.

https://transportnsw.info/trip

The main block of Irish fans will be in the south end of the stadium however we expect there will be Irish fans in many different areas.

A wide variety of hot and cold refreshments will be available. Alcohol will be available in all areas apart from the alcohol-free family zone in Blocks 136-2 & 137-2. It is strictly forbidden to consume alcohol in these blocks.

Stadium rules and code of conduct from FIFA is available here

https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/774e1ff3319157c9/original/20221004-CCL-TKT-FWWC2023-Stadium-Code-of-Conduct-v1.pdf

TICKETLESS FANS

Official FIFA Fan Screening, Tumbalong Park, 11 Harbour St, Sydney, Thursday, July 20, 6pm
More details here EVENT DETAILS
Ireland v Australia WWC Viewing Party, Bondi Pavilion Garu Courtyard, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach, Thursday July 20, 7pm
More details here EVENT DETAILS
Ireland v Australia WWC Viewing Party, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown, Thursday, July 20, 7pm
More details here EVENT DETAILS
Ireland v Australia WWC Viewing Party, The Gaelic Club, Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, Thursday, July 20, 7pm
More detail here EVENT DETAILS
Ireland v Australia LGBTQIA+ watch party, Molly Malones Tavern, Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, Thursday, July 20, 3pm
More detail here EVENT DETAILS
Ireland v Australia screening, PJ O'Briens, 57 Kings Street, Sydney, Thursday, July 20, 8pm
More details here EVENT DETAILS
Ireland v Australia screening, The Mercantile Hotel, George St, the Rocks, Thursday, July 20, 8pm
More details here EVENT DETAILS
Ireland v Australia screening, Coogee Bay Hotel, 253 Coogee Bay Road, Thursday, July 20, 8pm
More details here EVENT DETAILS
Ireland v Australia screening, Penrith Gaels, 75 Richmond Rd, Kingswood, Thursday, July 20, 8pm
More details here EVENT DETAILS

PREVIOUS MEETING
The teams have only played against each other once at senior women's level and that was in an International Friendly in September 2021 in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin.

In front of 3,314 supporters, Ireland secured a 3-2 victory courtesy of two deflected goals and a header from Louise Quinn, while Mary Fowler netted twice for The Matildas.

Republic of Ireland: Brosnan; Fahey, Louise Quinn, McCarthy; O’Gorman, McCabe; Finn (Caldwell 90), O’Sullivan, Barrett (Farrelly, 60); Payne (Kiernan 90), Lucy Quinn (Whelan 72).

Australia: Arnold (Williams HT); Polkinghorne, Kennedy (Checker HT), Nevin (Beard 68); Yallop (Gant 68), Logarzo (Wheeler 53), Cooney-Cross, Catley; Gielnick, Kerr, Fowler.

Referee: Paula Brady (Ireland).