Australia Vs Ireland: 2023 FIFA Women’s World match preview
Australia will face Republic of Ireland in the official opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup today Thursday July 20. SportsRation presents a preview of the match.
MATCH DETAILS
Type of Competition: 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Round: Group stage
Fixture: Australia Vs Ireland
Date: Thursday July 20, 2023
Time: 11am
Venue: Stadium Australia in Sydney
THE MATCH
Co-hosts New Zealand will face Norway in the first match, hours before the official opening ceremony which precedes the Australia Vs Ireland match.
A record crowd of about 83,000 is expected for the match, the most significant sporting event Australia has hosted since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Australia will start as favourites to win this game, their experience and home support an advantage over their first group B opponents.
Australia’s skipper Sam Kerr Kerr, who made her debut for Australia at 15 and is taking part in her fourth World Cup aged 29. She headlines an experienced squad determined to achieve success on home soil.
Ireland on their part are at their first World Cup and head into the clash.
O’Sullivan is a doubt for the Irish for this opening game despite making “remarkable recovery”.
A first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup meeting between both countries who have Canada and Nigeria as fellow group B occupants.
By current rankings, Australia are 10th in the World while Ireland are placed 22nd.
PREVIOUS MEETING
The only game between the Australia Women’s national team and Ireland ended in a shock 2-3 win for the Europeans.
KEY PLAYERS
Australia: Sam Kerr is the key player for the Aussies. With 55 goals in her last 72 internationals, fans will hope to catch a glimpse of her trademark cartwheel-backflip goal celebration.
Ireland: Arsenal FC’s Katie McCabe will be vital to Ireland’s chances of a successful tournament. It starts with the game vs Australia.
PREDICTION
Backed by massive home support and experience, Australia should come out tops in this game, we say Australia 3-1 Ireland.
