Canada and Ireland will both be looking for their first win of the Women's World Cup when they meet in Perth on Wednesday. The two teams are in a tight group B, where Australia lead with three points, Nigeria have one point, and Canada and Ireland have none. A win for either side would boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages, while a draw or a loss would leave them in a precarious position.
Both coaches have praised their opponents ahead of the game, with Canada's Bev Priestman calling Ireland a "horrible team to play against" and Ireland's Vera Pauw acknowledging Canada's quality and experience. The game is expected to be a physical and tactical battle, with both teams relying on their defensive solidity and their star players.
Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, have struggled to find their scoring touch this year, managing only three goals in six games. They were held to a goalless draw by Nigeria in their opening game, despite dominating possession and chances. They will hope that captain Christine Sinclair, who has 190 international goals, can lead the way and inspire her teammates.
Ireland, making their World Cup debut, put up a brave fight against co-hosts Australia in their first game, losing 1-0 to a late goal by Sam Kerr. They defended well for most of the game, but lacked creativity and threat in the final third. They will need more from their captain Katie McCabe, who plays for Arsenal in England, and their midfield dynamo Denise O'Sullivan, who plays for North Carolina Courage in the USA.
The game will also be influenced by the weather and the crowd, as wet and windy conditions are forecasted and Irish fans are expected to outnumber the Canadians. The Perth Rectangular Stadium will be the stage for a high-stakes clash between two teams that have everything to play for.
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