2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

[Exgrad]

Whats the story with Qatar being one of the top 10 purchasers of tickets? Sounds fairly iffy.

[Eirambler]

Possibly just Aussie expats living there and expats from other countries. Being in the top 10 countries for tickets sold doesn't mean much without detailing the exact numbers. I'd say the numbers sold to residents of every country other than Australia and New Zealand will be small enough to be honest.

[tetsujin1979]

Friendly against China about to kick off on RTE News, and available internationally on the RTE Player
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[nigel-harps1954]

Creditable 0-0 against the side ranked 14 in the world, 9 places above us currently. Had a disallowed goal as well, which didn't seem to make much sense to me. Ref seemed to think there was a push on the goalkeeper, but it's a really dreadful decision.

[tetsujin1979]

It was fine. Had the air of a midseason friendly. Most of our good play came down the right. De La Harpe had a few decent crosses into the box, but up front we struggled to threaten from open play. Megan Campbell's throws were the other main weapon of choice for the team. We could do with a little bit of variety from throw-ins. You could see the opposition defence move straight to the penalty box as soon as the throw was awarded.
Can't understand why the goal was ruled out.
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[tetsujin1979]

Vera Pauw must leave sentimentality outside the door when tough World Cup calls come knocking
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2023/02/27/vera-pauw-must-leave-sentimentality-outside-the-door-when-tough-world-cup-calls-come-knocking/

[tetsujin1979]

Currently drawing 0-0 with the U.S.
Doing ok. States with the better play, but Ireland probably with the better chances. We are a bit one dimensional from corners.
Lineup below.
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[JR89]

Squad for pre WC training camp named.

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[tetsujin1979]

Squad announced for World Cup
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[JR89]

Liking the video they put together.

Ireland’s World Cup squad

Goalkeepers:

Courtney Brosnan (Everton)
Grace Moloney (Reading)
Megan Walsh (Unattached)

Defenders:

Heather Payne (Florida State University)
Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers)
Niamh Fahey (Liverpool)
Louise Quinn (Birmingham City)
Diane Caldwell (Reading)
Claire O’Riordan (Celtic)
Megan Connolly (Unattached)
Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City)
Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United)

Midfielders:

Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)
Lily Agg (London City Lionesses)
Ruesha Littlejohn (Unattached)
Ciara Grant (Hearts)
Sinead Farrelly (Gotham FC)
Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

Forwards:

Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses)
Amber Barrett (Standard Liege)
Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit)
Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)


Training Players

Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes FC)
Harriet Scott (Birmingham City)
Jamie Finn (Birmingham City)

[tetsujin1979]

Some strange selections in defence there - Payne and Atkinson play in midfield, Payne has also played up front!
Finn's omission from the main squad is really strange, regular for her club and country across the season
Gutted for those who missed out, Leanne Kiernan and Megan Connolly especially

[Stuttgart88]

No Ryan Manning?

[tommy_c12000]

I shared a plane trip with the squad on their recent US trip. All (including Vera and co) were slumming it down the back with me, economy class. They came across really well, good atmosphere within the squad. Katie was a focal point. I sat next to a couple of the players, who were extremely friendly and cordial. I wish them well in the World Cup, they’re a credit to the nation

[Yard of Pace]

Some strange selections in defence there - Payne and Atkinson play in midfield, Payne has also played up front!
Finn's omission from the main squad is really strange, regular for her club and country across the season
Gutted for those who missed out, Leanne Kiernan and Megan Connolly especially

Mannion is a huge loss. She has genuine class and is one of the best footballers we have. Such a shame.

Connolly.....I'd have brought her if she was even capable of throwing the ball for 15 minutes if we need a goal.

I guess it says a lot about how the game has progressed that I'm gutted for all those omitted! They are indeed a credit to their country and hopefully they can......really shake 'em up etc. etc.

The kick-off times in general are great for the insomniacs among us also. Especially in this muggy weather....

[pineapple stu]

Connolly.....I'd have brought her if she was even capable of throwing the ball for 15 minutes if we need a goal.


Gutted for those who missed out, Leanne Kiernan and Megan Connolly especially
Connolly's on the list, no?

[tetsujin1979]

Connolly's on the list, no?Campbell! Auto correct changed it for some reason

[Yard of Pace]

Campbell! Auto correct changed it for some reason

Aye, Megan Campbell.

So disappointed for her. This should have been the Rory Delap Invitational. Genuinely gutted for the players who missed out.

It actually feels like it means way more because they're not earning huge money to soften the blow. They are a brilliant squad and fingers crossed they get out of the group.

[tetsujin1979]

Australia squad announced
The Nigeria squad was announced a few weeks ago, and the Canada squad will be announced on Sunday


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[tetsujin1979]

Hot Press have announced a world cup song to be released on Friday.
Not sure if it's an official team song
https://www.hotpress.com/lifestyle-sports/come-on-ireland-hot-press-releases-zrazy-single-celebrating-womens-world-cup-22977688

[NeverFeltBetter]

The Vera Pauw "misconduct" allegations are a bit of an unwanted distraction: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0705/1392996-theres-a-person-trying-to-destroy-my-career-pauw/

I recall Pauw's claims when this was first coming out that she was denied the chance to record her video call interaction with the Houston Dash investigators, and when she then refused to continue it her subsequent written submission was ignored. Not to act as if she is a maligned saint, but the suspiciously timed Athletic story makes you wonder about how fairly she is being treated.

[sbgawa]

Im trying to imagine if the mens tem manager was barred from coaching in the USA by US officials following an investigation would he have got 100% backing within 24 hours from the FAI?
I think the one sided coverage and dismissive nature taken by most people is highly unusual.
I have no idea if she is guilty or not guilty but i think its amazing that our National team manager is banned from coaching in the US and no one thiks its a problem

[joey B]

Katie McCabe off injured after half an hour,hopefully only precautionary but they've given away some bad goals since,will need to defend better at the big show.......

[tommy_c12000]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023...layer-ratings/ These are remarkably high ratings for a team who lost 3-0. Am I missing something or is objectivity gone out the window?!

[elatedscum]

Didn’t see the game but rte and bbc live reporting both said they had a perfectly good goal disallowed at 0-0 for offside. Injury to Katie McCabe is probably another mitigating factor

[tetsujin1979]

Yeah, it was onside. Could clearly see it on the sport from the lines on the pitch she was behind the French defender.
First goal came down the left, when the team was reorganizing after McCabe came off Second was a mistake from Fahey IMO. Quinn stepped out to put pressure on the ball, and left a gap, Fahey didn't cover fast enough which gave the French player a moment to take the shot
Third was a header from a corner. Fahey should have cleared it from under the crossbar. She looked a bit off the pace during the game.
Pauw said after the game she wasn't worried but that's eight goals conceded in five games this year, and we've only scored three, all against Zambia, and didn't have a shot on target against France
We only conceded three goals in total in 2022

[elatedscum]

Hot Press have announced a world cup song to be released on Friday.
Not sure if it's an official team song
https://www.hotpress.com/lifestyle-sports/come-on-ireland-hot-press-releases-zrazy-single-celebrating-womens-world-cup-22977688

on that note, saw this today: https://shop.hotpress.com/products/hot-press-issue-47-07-womens-world-cup-special

not quite the iconic Paul McGrath cover but cool anyway (tried to upload the paul mcgrath image but got 'this is not a valid image' - but if you google paul mcgrath hotpress and go to images, you can see it)

[tetsujin1979]

This one?
https://media.hotpress.com/uploads/2021/11/08110353/Screen-Shot-2021-11-08-at-11.03.28.png

[elatedscum]

Exactly that one

[NeverFeltBetter]

Nigerian players are threatening to boycott over a payments dispute: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/11/anger-and-recrimination-as-nigerias-world-cup-preparations-unravel

Some of the comments quoted there from their FA official are remarkably unprofessional.

[geysir]

Im trying to imagine if the mens tem manager was barred from coaching in the USA by US officials following an investigation would he have got 100% backing within 24 hours from the FAI?
I think the one sided coverage and dismissive nature taken by most people is highly unusual.
I have no idea if she is guilty or not guilty but i think its amazing that our National team manager is banned from coaching in the US and no one thiks its a problem

The USA womens team did not think her presence was a problem when Ireland visited the US and played them.
Having read the allegations as reported by the Atlantic, my opinion is that they are mostly tosh. In fact the whole article, as a so called investigative article is poorly structured. I’d interpret most of what was put forward as evidence in that article as narcissistic angst.

I have not read all what was reported in Ireland but from what I have seen, the issue was reported, she was asked some questions and she answered them openly in an unrestrained manner. She has the support of all the squad except from one player’s accusations who had long been discarded from the squad and who hasn’t been deemed good enough subsequently to play with a series of clubs.
Since she arrived here to take charge, the transformation of the intl team has been remarkable, moving rapidly from a mid tier not good enough team to top of the 2nd tier and still improving. That took steely determination to turn that carthorse around.

She has come to this football family and it has taken her to heart, as you say yourself you don’t know if the allegations are true or not, so what to do? trust the evidence that is staring you in the face and support one of our own as a proper football fraternity should do?
She does not look like a person who can disguise her emotions, what you see is what you get and she has deservedly gained the benefit of doubt from the court of popular opinion.

[Yard of Pace]

She does not look like a person who can disguise her emotions, what you see is what you get and she has deservedly gained the benefit of doubt from the court of popular opinion.

The accusations sound ridiculous to me. "Body-shaming"? If a player is overweight they are overweight, male or female. Loads of the Irish players have gotten into remarkably better shape under Pauw and they haven't complained. Witness Ruesha Littlejohn rolling her shorts up to show off her toned legs! Brosnan was a fair tubby yoke too and to be honest most of the rest of them. Even McCabe looks more athletic.

I think it's a load of nothing even if she made comments or whatever. We've watched and listened to her for years now and as has been said, she gets the benefit of the doubt.

(Imagine, say, an overweight Wayne Rooney returning from his hols in the past and going to the press accusing Alex Ferguson of having bodyshamed him?? :-) Sure didn't managers openly call Andy Reid too unfit??! Top level US sport, men's and women's is cut-throat competitive, for me it's a nonsense. )

[Razors left peg]

The 1st and most important thing for any professional athlete is to be in shape, if they are not and the coach isnt calling it out the coach is not doing their job

[geysir]

Whatever was stated about Andy Reid being overweight was not true, as testified by the many photos Eirebhoy posted of Andy’s girth, albeit taken from a specific angle..

[SkStu]

Andy was just barrel-chested, pint-sized and big-boned.

[kksaints]

The accusations sound ridiculous to me. "Body-shaming"? If a player is overweight they are overweight, male or female. Loads of the Irish players have gotten into remarkably better shape under Pauw and they haven't complained. Witness Ruesha Littlejohn rolling her shorts up to show off her toned legs! Brosnan was a fair tubby yoke too and to be honest most of the rest of them. Even McCabe looks more athletic.

I think it's a load of nothing even if she made comments or whatever. We've watched and listened to her for years now and as has been said, she gets the benefit of the doubt.

(Imagine, say, an overweight Wayne Rooney returning from his hols in the past and going to the press accusing Alex Ferguson of having bodyshamed him?? :-) Sure didn't managers openly call Andy Reid too unfit??! Top level US sport, men's and women's is cut-throat competitive, for me it's a nonsense. )

On your first paragraph would that not be more likely to be due to the increased professionalism with club training rather than the international panel? While there is slightly more international training camps etc in the Women's game compared to the men's they'd still have far more training hours with their clubs.

[Yard of Pace]

On your first paragraph would that not be more likely to be due to the increased professionalism with club training rather than the international panel? While there is slightly more international training camps etc in the Women's game compared to the men's they'd still have far more training hours with their clubs.

I think a bit of both. I don't think it's a coincidence that all the Irish team look super toned and super fit and are winning 50/50s when they didn't used to. Pauw knows it's a limited enough squad but she also knows that most of the rest of the teams (unfortunately we're in the group of death) have limited enough squads (hence Farrelly becoming an automatic starter and Mannion would've been too)......

By the sounds of things, I believe the training at the clubs is hit and miss and I put down the Irish teams development on that front to the training camp + individual programs (which would probably be facilitated by their clubs).

But I don't know for sure, it's just my take and I follow the team quite closely, with Ireland and with their clubs. I could be talking complete rubbish. But it's a definite that the squad is the leanest and fittest it's ever been, anyone with eyes can see that. (And a fair few don't have clubs!)

[Yard of Pace]

That left-foot, though.......*swoon*

[Yard of Pace]

Andy was just barrel-chested, pint-sized and big-boned.

That left foot, though......*swoon*

[tetsujin1979]

documentary about qualification to be broadcast on Wednesday night
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[SkStu]

That left foot, though......*swoon*

That left foot could knit you a sweater.

[tetsujin1979]

Live stream of France(Ireland's last opponent) V Australia(Ireland's next competitive opponent) on YouTube at 10:30
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[JR89]

Live stream of France(Ireland's last opponent) V Australia(Ireland's next competitive opponent) on YouTube at 10:30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUKviGZvCR4

Australia won 1-0. Meanwhile the behind closed doors friendly with Colombia was abandoned after 20mins after becoming too physical. Denise O'Sullivan was taken to hospital with a shin injury.

[Fixer82]

Australia won 1-0. Meanwhile the behind closed doors friendly with Colombia was abandoned after 20mins after becoming too physical. Denise O'Sullivan was taken to hospital with a shin injury.

Friendly with Columbia Womens team I presume?
Are they in WC?

[tetsujin1979]

Australia won 1-0. Meanwhile the behind closed doors friendly with Colombia was abandoned after 20mins after becoming too physical. Denise O'Sullivan was taken to hospital with a shin injury.

Very much against the run of play, France were the better team. Australia looked to contain in their own half, and then break with Kerr, Vine, and Foord. Vine was causing problems with her pace in the first half, was surprised she went off at half time for Fowler. Goal came from a run down the right from Raso, who found Fowler in a load of space in the box to score from near the penalty spot.
France had Australia pinned back in their own half for long periods, and really should have taken something from this game. When they did get forward, Australia looked disorganised in their own box, and vulnerable on the right side of defence.


Friendly with Columbia Womens team I presume?
Are they in WC?
Yeah, they're in Group H against Germany, Morocco, and South Korea

[Diggs246]

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/watch-footage-emerges-of-tackle-that-has-put-denise-osullivans-world-cup-in-doubt/a122599026.html

Is anyone else slightly embarrassed over this?

[tetsujin1979]

From the footage there, it looks like she gets hit in the ankle, but it's not great quality so hard to tell

[pineapple stu]

It looks like there's possibly an elbow as afters too

But I agree with Diggs. It's the ref's job to ref the game. I know it was only a friendly, but you can't have players walking off the pitch at the first sight of an over-zealous tackle

[Diggs246]

I'm talking about the team walking off the pitch

The footage is fine btw

[kksaints]

It's a strong challenge but nothing more than that tbh. Seems strange to walkout over that, would need to see the rest of the match footage to see how physical the Colombians were.

[Razors left peg]

There was no attempt to play the ball, much more obvious in the stills. If it was a full friendly like last week's game vs France you'd get on with it and hope the ref shows a red card but this was just a training game behind closed doors and if the Columbians were just kicking players, they had already gotten 2 yellows, then it was the right thing to pack it in. Why would you want to keep going a risk injury to the players in a nothing game. I'm assuming that it wasn't an official game where players would have received a cap?