Australia V Republic of Ireland - Thursday, 20 July 2023 - 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup

**nigel-harps1954** · 20/07/2023, 11:34 AM

Ireland responded fairly well to the goal. Two positive subs and we're having a go at them.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 20/07/2023, 11:43 AM

Have played very well last ten minutes alright, but no cutting edge at all

**tetsujin1979** · 20/07/2023, 12:00 PM

Substitutions definitely made a difference, but too late in the game IMO
Larkin has to start over Sheva against Canada

**joey B** · 20/07/2023, 12:01 PM

Had chances to level,the starting eleven has to be questioned with how they finished the game though….

**NeverFeltBetter** · 20/07/2023, 12:06 PM

Real sickner for them. But for the penalty it really didn't seem like Australia were capable of creating a goal, and then Ireland didn't really test the Aussies much with the possession they got in the last 20. Big decisions to be made on starting XI now, a few on the pitch didn't do enough really. Need to pick themselves up quickly and get something from Canada. You hate to see Sheva crying on the sideline before the game is even over.

**gastric** · 20/07/2023, 12:22 PM

Always frustrates me that McCabe doesn't start in midfield.

**joey B** · 20/07/2023, 3:37 PM

Looking back at the penalty its a complete brain fart from Sheva,Raso is one of the smaller players on their team and it wasnt going to get anywhere near her.....

**osarusan** · 20/07/2023, 3:46 PM

A bit frustrating that we spent so much time sitting back and soaking up pressure, as it turns out that when we had a go, they were pretty shaky defensively.

**tetsujin1979** · 20/07/2023, 4:06 PM

Australia played a similar game as they did against France. Kept Ireland away from the box, and took their chance when they had it.
They're facing Nigeria on Thursday, and could qualify for the second round with a win.

**Diggs246** · 20/07/2023, 4:19 PM

You just feel that with their best Player pulling out just before ko. that was the chance... But. It's wasn't to be I fear we won't have anything to play for v Nigeria

Hope Im wrong

**tetsujin1979** · 20/07/2023, 10:24 PM

Malachy Clerkin going in two footed in Marissa Sheva
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soc...concentration/

**Stuttgart88** · 21/07/2023, 8:12 AM

I thought that was disgacefully OTT.

Canada v Nigeria didn't reveal much to be afraid of I thought, though I only saw short BBC highlights. Canada's keeper looks weak. Australia's keeper dealt very well with McCabe's corners but I reckon Katie will be targeting Canada's keeper.

**Predator** · 21/07/2023, 9:12 AM

Penalty aside, it felt like Ireland were comfortable in handling Australia and the Aussies were certainly on the ropes in the final 10 minutes. A real pity that an equaliser couldn't be found. Australia played more of the football overall though and Ireland's counter-attack play was sloppy - at one point McCabe was visibly irate with Carusa for her tardiness in releasing the ball. A thankless task playing as the lone striker in a game like that but I think Pauw should have made changes up top sooner, if only for fresh legs.

Australia were the hometown team and I think they managed to get away with on-the-edge play, with Gorry in particular showing a cuteness in her tackling. McCabe set the tone nicely for Ireland in that regard and our intensity in the tackle made a mockery of Colombian charges of Ireland being "little girls". Larkin showed signs that she is a real top-class player in the making. I wouldn't be surprised to see her start the next game.

**Fixer82** · 21/07/2023, 10:14 PM

Thought it was a soft penalty. Australian player felt the hand on the back and made the most of it.
Inexperience, or naïveté maybe, from Sheva to have the hands up of course but didn’t really see it as a push. More as a light hand on back and a dive

**pineapple stu** · 22/07/2023, 12:05 PM

Random fact - there's been eight games in the tournament so far, and every one has had a penalty.

**tetsujin1979** · 22/07/2023, 5:09 PM

Was wondering if any Irish player younger than Abbie Larkin had appeared at the World Cup, and it turns out she's the youngest by almost two years

**Bottle of Tonic** · 22/07/2023, 6:57 PM

Cannot multi quote but just on a couple of points made above on Sheva.

"Clerkin going in two footed"
"Disgracefully OTT"

Really? Reading the article it seems balanced and fair and tinged with genuine disappointment that a player mistake cost us. If the ladies game wants to move up a few notches closer to the men's in public perception you need to be able to make honest assessments in the media.

I read the rte.ie player ratings after the game and it was all glowing praise even for subs getting a few minutes. It smacked of "sure aren't they great girls altogether, mighty" .

Or even worse, a fear of criticising a mere woman. These are big girls, surely, to be playing at the level they are and you'd imagine they can take the scrutiny that accompanies the men's game and is part and parcel of it.

**Jd2793** · 22/07/2023, 7:30 PM

i cant understand the ire towards clerkin either. dont think the article is wrong at all. we'd all say the same on here if it was ogbene , coleman or cullen made that error. people do seem to b infantilising the womens team a bit i feel. they are well able, they are mostly pro athletes at the end of the day. sheva will know full well it was a stupid error .

**tetsujin1979** · 23/07/2023, 10:46 AM

Clerkin really targets Sheva with these comments

Stupid has no comeback though.
Stupid kills you every time.
The weakest link breaks the chain.
Sheva’s penalty concession was such a needless way to mess up all that good work.

I'm no fan of Sheva, but he hasn't described any other player in the game like that.