The 2023 Women’s World Cup begins this week and the second game of the tournament is between Australia W and Ireland W.
The match will take place on the 20th of July at the ANZ Stadium and the teams are in Group B along with Nigeria W and Canada W.
Tomorrow's office 🏟️#Matildas #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/VCWvXw7t9U— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 19, 2023
Tomorrow's office 🏟️#Matildas #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/VCWvXw7t9U
Australia W come into the match having played a friendly game against France prior to the tournament. The game ended 1-0 in favour of the Matildas and the only goal of the match was scored in the 66th minute by Mary Fowler. The victory over a European nation will give Australia W some confidence going into this game.
Australia W’s most recent fixtures have bene friendlies and they beat England 2-0, which was a good result but lost 1-0 to Scotland.
We must go back to the FFA Cup of Nations to find the last time Australia W played a competitive game and they beat Jamaica 3-0. Australia won all 3 of their fixtures in the group, beating Czech Republic 4-0 and Spain 3-2.
In terms of the Women’s World Cup, Australia W reached the round of 16 in 2019, beating Brazil W and Jamaica W in the group stage.
Having been held to a 1-1 draw by Norway W in the round of 16, Australia W lost via a penalty shootout.
Australia W have won 2 of their last 5 Women’s World Cup matches, losing the other 3 games.
Ireland W enter the 2023 Women’s World Cup on the back of a 3-0 loss against France W in a friendly.
The French opened the scoring on the stoke of half time and added a second goal in added time which dented the confidence of the Irish team.
France W scored a third goal in the 61st minute and Ireland W had no answer.
The loss against France W means Ireland W have won only 1 of their last 5 fixtures. The win came against Zambia in a friendly but there have also been friendly defeats against United States W (twice) and a draw with China PR W.
Ireland W qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup by winning the playoffs against Scotland W. Ireland W finished second in their group behind Sweden W, winning 5 of their 8 matches and losing only 1 game, which was against the Swedes.
Team news and Australia W can welcome back Kayah Simon, Alana Kennedy, and Chloe Logarzo from injury. They will be relying on captain Sam Kerr for their goals.
Ireland W have Arsenal midfielder Katie McCabe in their ranks and she will captain the team.
There is plenty of experience in defence, with Áine O'Gorman, Niamh Fahey, and Louise Quinn all having over 100 caps for their country.
Australia W are expected to progress from this group and will be cheered on by a huge crowd.
However, Ireland W won their most recent meeting in 2021 and will be a tough test for the hosts. If nerves begin to get the better of Australia W, Ireland W could take advantage and come out shock winners, with both teams scoring.