Canada vs. Republic of Ireland
The seventh match-day of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw the historic 32-nation-field cut down to 29 countries still alive in the competition. All three losing sides were officially eliminated following today’s results. In Group C, Zambia and Costa Rica were knocked out of the tournament following lopsided losses to Japan and Spain, respectively.
Later on in the evening’s capper, the Republic of Ireland encountered the end of their World Cup dream via a narrow 1-2 loss to Canada. Vera Pauw’s “Gals in Green” snatched an early lead against their favored opponents. A late first-half own-goal and a superior second half nevertheless enabled Bev Priestman’s Canucks to emerge winners.
Group D concludes round two with co-hosts Australia facing Nigeria in tomorrow night’s capper.
Tactical Analysis: Republic of Ireland & Canada
In this review, we’ll present both sets of tactics in the same section so as to better frame the narrative of the match. Much was afoot tactically at the oddly-named “Rectangular Stadium” in Perth. Whereas Pauw’s regular constellation (combined with some curiosities from Preistman) initially gave the tournament debutants a chance, a significant shift from Priestman ended up carrying the day. The latest Canadian tactics will also surely interest Aussie enthusiasts.
Lineup—Republic of Ireland—Match Two (5-4-1)
Pauw employed two personnel changes from round one. The veteran Aine O’ Gorman took over for college student Heather Payne in the right wingback slot. Lucy Quinn also started in place of Marissa Shiva up front. The basic system remained the same, though Sinead Farrelly cleared shift over to the left lane. Subtly enough, one could tell on the overhead that the two support attackers were given license to press higher. Ruesha Littlejohn and Denise O’Sullivan also operated with less separation than in the previous match.
The changes in attack yielded immediate dividends, with Lucy Quinn unlocking Kyra Carusa on the play that would result in the 3rd-minute-corner. Canadian keeper Kailen Sheridan might have done a better job with Katie McCabe’s service from the right flag, but the delivery that gave Ireland the early 1-0 had some dip and swerve to it. Moreover, it likely wasn’t easy for the Canuck net-minder to plant effectively in the rainy conditions. What a start it was! The underdogs made the most of it, riding the tailwind from the early tally for a solid half-hour.
Pauw’s lases increasingly focused more on defending, yet continued to force passing errors out of the back-chain. The favored North Americans only slowly and gradually attained some fluidity in their initial shape. Bev Priestman’s opening constellations featured two changes from the round one 0-0 draw against Nigeria. Christine Sinclair and Deanne Rose were dropped. The returning star Jessie Fleming and Kristianstads DFF striker Evelyne Viens entered the XI.
Lineup—Canada—Match Two (4-2-3-1)
The tactics-obsessed among us were left to scratch our heads. We had other ideas in mind. Fleming functioning as a clear ten (and wearing the captain’s armband) in her first match back seemed a big ask. Naturally, the real decision that caused the most consternation concerned the use of Jordyn Huitema on the wing. The 22-year-old wears the no. nine on her back for good reason. At nearly six feet tall and possessing a four-inch-advantage over Viens, she should have served as the center-forward.
Frustration was only compounded when Viens skied an effort over from where Huitema should have been at the half-hour-mark. The Canadians appeared destined to head into the locker room down at least one goal. The better chances during the opening 45 belonged to the lasses. Carusa and Denise O’Sullivan even forced tactical fouls out of their overwhelmed opponents on counters. The equalizer came on a random Julia Grosso diagonal into the box at 45+5.
Megan Connolly – who had hitherto actually played an exceptionally strong first half – inadvertently deflected the ball into her own net. Such horrible luck. Connolly kept Fleming, Jayde Riviere, and Adrianna Leon at bay with wonderfully strong tackles. So very bitter. Gifted a lifeline back in the game, Pressman employed a triple change at the half. Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt, and Shelina Zardosky replaced Grosso, Viens, and Kadeisha Buchanan. An obvious fourth sub, Cloé Lacasse, kept warm on the touchline.
Lineup—Canada—46th minute (4-1-3-2)
A bit more in line with what some of us thought we’d see. The Canucks bombarded the Irish net immediately. Huitema forced a strong save out of Irish keeper Courtney Brosnan not long after the restart. Leon also had a solid crack shortly before successfully converting the 2-1 in the 53rd. In this particular case, Schmidt deserves full credit for making what proved the game-winning goal happen. The 35-year-old Houston Dash magician split the Irish defense with a sumptuous pass.
Leon narrowly missed a chance at a brace before being replaced by Lacasse in the 59th. Pauw made a change in the same minute, with striker Sheva entering for wingback O’Gorman. Having also taken off Lucy Quinn for Abbie Larkin at the break, Pauw would then exhaust all of her substitutions with a triple change in the 65th. The author strained hard to see if the shape exhibited any significant alterations on the overhead. It did not. Despite all the fresh bodies, it appeared as if Pauw simply didn’t have a “Plan B”.
Apart from a few distance efforts wide of the mark – not to mention plenty of invigorating forward moves by McCabe – the Irish didn’t produce any additional danger. Sinclair and Huitema had better chances at the other end. The best action from McCabe came in the 79th and 82nd. Stunning stuff from the skipper, who twice fought her way forward past multiple markers in an effort to single-handily carry her team. Unfortunately, as much ground as she covered, the 5-4-1 ultimately left her with too much ground to cover.
Top Performers, Canada
1) Jordyn Huitema
The OL Reign striker stood out among the rest of the Canadian outfielders during the dismal, dreary, and rain-soaked first-half. She served as the only real spark in attack with two efforts in the opening 45. By the time the full-time whistle blew, she recorded six shots, six long dribbles, and an absurd (for a striker) 60 touches on the ball. The mega-talent refused to be denied on this day, giving it her all for the full 90 minutes. While she didn’t make the scoresheet, the writer considers her the unquestionable “Player-of-the-match”.
2) Quinn
Three Quinns on the pitch this evening. The two Irish players, Lucy and Louise, have surnames while this one does not. Huitema’s OL Reign teammate impressed for the second consecutive match. The midfield linchpin accrued nearly 100 touches and played 75 passes. Along with Huitema, the 27-year-old brought some vigor to the Canadian build-up play during the often disorganized first-half. Operating on a solo axis in the second, the Duke University product directed the Canadian attack splendidly.
3) Sophie Schmidt
Long-time female football watchers called for her to start for good reason. She’s been dazzling tournament watchers since the 2011 WWC and put in great work in the two stateside Women’s professional leagues that folded prior to the inception of the NWSL. Yes, she’s also familiar to FrauenBundesliga enthusiasts. All are familiar with the records Sinclair keeps setting, yet it shouldn’t be forgotten that Schmidt has 221 caps to her name as well. The legend who won the game on this eve.
4) Cloé Lacasse
The long-time Benfica and current Arsenal attacker probably made her case for a place in the starting XI as well. Wow did she ever look great on the right wing. At least four sprint dribbles in the author’s count and some really lovely crosses into the box. Turning, swerving, and dipping whenever she had the ball at her feet. Leon scored the goal, but it’s Lacasse who needs to start next. Perhaps she can work the left opposite Leon and behind Huitema.
Top Performers, Republic of Ireland
1) Katie McCabe
Such a bitter result proved doubly bitter for the above-mentioned Connolly. This applies as well as the likes of Courtney Brosnan, Kyra Carusa, Niamh Fahey, Sinead Farrelly, Lucy Quinn, and even Marissa Sheva. All of the listed players furnished their own little wonderful moments. Regrettably, mistakes and inaccuracies overshadow the successes that they brought forth. McCabe enjoyed some company on the pitch today. A “top-performer” header must nevertheless solely belong to her. No one on either side came close to matching her heart and grit.
No exaggeration there. Check out the tape.