Canada vs. Republic of Ireland
The 2023 Women’s World Cup’s anointed “Group of Death” gets rolling once again on Wednesday evening. After the four nations contesting Group C play their respective second round fixtures, Canada versus the Republic of Ireland serves as a fitting capper for another exciting day of women’s football. Bev Priestman’s Canucks seek to make a statement after managing only a 0-0 draw against Nigeria in Round One.
Vera Pauw’s Irish lasses aim to pounce on a team exhibiting some form struggles and potentially turn their “Cinderella Dreams” into a reality. The two sides match up very interestingly on the tactics board. The Canadians know full well the sort of constellation they’ll be squaring off against. Whether or not Priestmann can conjure up a winning formula remains to be seen.
Canada
Internal issues within Priestman’s squad, along with the FA’s political/financial difficulties, led to many experts adopting a dismissive tone about the prospects of the reigning Olympic Champions. The overall form of the team – just one win in six fixtures during the current calendar year – didn’t help matters. Losing talismanic forward Janine Beckie to injury drove many to the conclusion that this country’s reputation as a regular underachiever in this competition won’t be broken this time.
By all accounts, the Canucks were expected to at least garner three points in their opening fixture against Nigeria’s “Super Falcons”. In the end, however, the African opponents rose above their own off-the-pitch issues and kept the Canadian attack quiet for large stretches of the match. Preistman’s side also again found themselves stung by the injury bug, with Chelsea midfielder Jessie Fleming unable to shake off calf troubles.
Lineup—Canada—Match One (4-4-2)
The use of the legendary Christine Sinclair as a short-striker did produce some offensive pop, particularly in the early stages. Matters slowed down a bit as the Nigerian defense got stuck in and cleared most all of the crosses into the box. The perhaps most telling statistic from this result concerns that fact that the Canadians were only able to connect with less than a quarter of their services from the flanks. Duel rates and tilt were about even. The Nigerians even got some rollicking counters off.
Priestman’s system holds potential. One nevertheless wishes to take absolutely noting away from the manner in which the Nigerians managed the game. Super Falcon enthusiasts – this one included – often joke that the Nigerian women never fail to deliver a four-member “O-Ordnance” in these tournaments. Nearly every match features a superb performance from a quartet of players with “O” surnames. This affair proved no exception. Osinachi Ohale, Ifeoma Onumonu, Francisca Ordega, and Asisat Oshoala all did extremely well taking the ball off their opponents.
One certainly doesn’t envy Priestman as she prepares to plan her next XI. Despite her missed penalty, Sinclair remained involved and dangerous at times. The staggered top axis that featured the veteran and Jordyn Huitema facilitated some quality centralized attacks. Both wingers and fullbacks at least did their part to move the team upfield. Quinn turned in a quiet little gem as the primary midfield “flight-director”. The problem, of course, happens to be all the talent waiting on the bench. Many of the substitutes recommended themselves for starting roles.
Assuming that Fleming is passed fit:
Lineup—Canada—Match Two (projected) (4-3-3)
It’s a tad radical, but it might just work. The squad reaped some benefit from the introductions of Sophie Schmidt, Allysha Chapman, and Nichelle Prince in the later stages. Ashley Lawrence also looked far better on her natural right-hand-side. Naturally, there remains risk associated with sending the veterans out against a determined Irish side that shall keep things cagey and physical. In the final analysis, the leadership value this trio could bring to the team may prove indispensable.
Republic of Ireland
About the only thing one can say about Vera Pauw’s Otto-Rehhagel-esque set of tactics is that virtually all of us crave more. Curiosity must be satiated! Can the “Gals in Green” bold-face their way out of this group and supply the tournament’s biggest sensation? This team that often looks as if it plays with a back-seven knows just how to execute counters. Pauw’s set-piece designs intrigue as well.
Regrettably, we must exercise patience as this fixture lies a couple of days away. The writer can only implore tournament-watchers to clear their schedules for Wednesday evening. The fixture genuinely cannot arrive soon enough. Save the date and time with an emphatically thick stroke of a permanent marker. Pauw’s XI should remain unchanged, though central defender Louisa Quinn presently carries an injury.