´óÏó´«Ã½

The Republic of Ireland ended brightly against Australia, with Louise Quinn, Katie McCabe and Megan Connolly having chances to equalise.

Striker Kyra Carusa said: "Those last minutes of the Australia game, it did light a fire under us.

"It showed the 90 minute-plus team we have in us and the dangers we have in us.

"That is something that we take away and we want to continue that into this game.

"We have to remember that we are reliable and we have that endurance and that longevity to make sure we can come up with a result.

"That was definitely a positive leaving the Australia game."

Emma Smith
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport reporter in Australia

Image source, .

In their opening match against Nigeria, Canada midfielder Quinn became the first out transgender player at a Fifa World Cup. Like their style of play, it was done with minimal fuss.

Quinn is a key part of Canada's midfield, their place as the midfield anchor crucial as the Olympic champions aim to add the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup trophy to their cabinet.

They played the full 90 minutes against Nigeria. The result was a goalless draw- but the Canadian number five's role created history.

Quinn came out as non-binary in September 2020, dropping their old first name, asking to be known only by a mononym - a name composed of only one word - and saying they would use the pronouns 'they/them'.

They have been an important figure for the national set-up since making their senior international debut in 2014, when they became team-mates with players who had shown them there was a future in football.

Read more here.

Stephanie Roche
Former Republic of Ireland striker on RTE

Both teams pride themselves on how good they are defensively. Hopefully it's not a 0-0 draw. Both teams have to try to score.

It's a surprise Christine Sinclair isn't starting. It'll be interesting to see if she comes on, they have good options.

Andy Gray
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport NI in Australia

"What we saw from Ireland against Australia was everything we've scouted coming into the tournament," said Canada boss Bev Priestman, who led the Maples to Olympic glory in 2021.

"Whenever they've played, we've seen that from them - that shape, that resilience, that doing whatever it takes not to concede mindset.

"They're a team full of heart, spirit and passion. So when you compare that to Canada and what we're known for, it's going to make for a great game.

"I think from my perspective we have to match it and hope that our quality shines through but, first and foremost, match that passion and hard work."

Priestman added the Irish are "a horrible team to play against" and they have nothing to lose when they face the Canadians.

"That's what we pride ourselves on, so we one million per cent have to match that first," she said.

"Ireland know that about Canada too. It's probably a two-way street."

Andy Gray
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport NI in Perth

Away from the World Cup, you can read as much or as little into this as you want to.

There's a big Tottenham mural in Perth, but you may notice that a certain star striker is missing.

Spurs played West Ham here in a pre-season friendly last week, and although Harry Kane started in the 3-2 defeat he didn't make the cut for the artwork on Adelaide Terrace.

Maybe the artist didn't want to risk having to come back and re-do their (pretty impressive) work as Kane's annual transfer saga continues.

Canada have lost 12 of their 14 Women’s World Cup matches against European sides, avoiding defeat against only the Netherlands (1-1) and Switzerland (1-0) both in 2015.

Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw: "Winning starts with not losing. If you play a game like this against an Olympic champion, I have to stay realistic but it's clear that if we want to go through in this group, we need a result.

"If we win, we have it in our own hands. If we have a draw then we depend on other results.

"Canada are a very, very experienced team.

"They know how to have patience in getting their results.

"They often get their results in the latter stages, and that shows that they have the trust to keep going with their game plan."

Andy Gray
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport NI at Perth Rectangular Stadium

There's a perception that this Irish team are overly-physical.

Captain Katie McCabe took a bit of stick in the local press after the Australia game for throwing herself around and being too aggressive, and the topic came up again in Canada's pre-match press conference yesterday.

I even heard a Canadian couple say in a coffee shop this morning that they're expecting to play Ireland's rugby team, not the football one. Ouch.

We all know McCabe is a player who likes to be on the edge, but how many fouls did she actually commit in the opener? Just the one.

Physicality is part of any elite-level sport, and there's a feeling in the Irish camp that the robust tag is somewhat unjustified.

Olympic champions Canada were held to a surprise goalless draw by Nigeria in their opener and are under pressure to get a result here.

The Republic of Ireland's Women's World Cup debut ended in a 1-0 defeat by co-hosts Australia.

Steph Catley's second-half penalty settled the game in Sydney.

Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn all came close to what would have been a famous equaliser but the hosts held on to start their World Cup campaign with a win.

Andy Gray
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport NI at Perth Rectangular Stadium

After days of constant sunshine, Perth was hit by a ton of rain yesterday and those heavy showers have carried through into Wednesday.

It's just like being at home.

The Irish fans, both those living on the west coast and those who have travelled, are expected to descend upon Perth and it could almost be like a home game for Vera Pauw's side.

Generally, the city has a much more chilled vibe compared to Sydney or Brisbane...until the Irish arrive.

You have to wonder what the locals make of it all...

Image source, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport

Canada's record goal scorer and captain Christine Sinclair has dropped to the bench for tonight's game with the Republic of Ireland.

Sinclair, 40, missed a penalty against in the first match against Nigeria as she looks to become the first player to score at six World Cups.

As expected, Chelsea midfielder Jessie Fleming returns to the starting team after missing their opener.

Canada: Sheridan, Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence, Quinn, Fleming, Grosso, Huitema, Viens, Leon.

Subs: D'Angelo, Chapman, Zadorsky, Rose, Sinclair, Schmidt, Prince, Carle, Lacasse, Awujo, Smith, Proulx.

Image source, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport

Vera Pauw has made one change for tonight's game as Lucy Quinn comes in for Marissa Sheva.

Louise Quinn and Heather Payne, both injury doubts, are passed fit to play from the start.

The Irish are set to play five at the back, with Payne and captain Katie McCabe offering the width on the flanks.

Rep of Ireland : Brosnan, Connolly, Louise Quinn, Fahey, McCabe, Littlejohn, O'Sullivan, Payne, Farrelly, Carusa, Lucy Quinn.

Subs: Moloney, O'Riordan, Mustaki, Caldwell, Barrett, Agg, O'Gorman, Larkin, Sheva, Grant, Atkinson, Walsh.

It's the Republic of Ireland's day of destiny.

They suffered a battling defeat against co-hosts Australia in their opener.

Lose to Canada today and their first ever Women's World Cup dream might be over less than a week after it started.

Win and the Irish can start to dream.

Welcome to live text commentary of this crucial game.