Ruesha Littlejohn says the Republic of Ireland are tough enough to "ride the waves" in Sydney as they prepare to enter a World Cup cauldron.
The Girls in Green have an incredibly difficult opener in their first ever appearance at the tournament, with Tony Gustavvson's Matildas seemingly peaking at the perfect time.
Last Friday Australia beat France 1-0 in Melbourne thanks to substitute Mary Fowler's second-half strike. A high-quality contest was the perfect prep for the host nation, and in stark contrast to Ireland, who played Colombia behind closed doors at the same time.
That game ended after 20 minutes after a tackle on Denise O'Sullivan that left her on crutches and wearing a protective boot; her availability for Thursday is still not guaranteed.
Littlejohn was also on the end of a heavy Colombian challenge that night but the midfielder shrugged it off - "I’m a strong girl, I’ll be fine" - and is now eyeing what would be a sesmic shock.
"I think it's important we know our strengths and play to our strengths, obviously we're playing very tough opposition," she said.
"We couldn’t have had a worse group probably. We’re playing at a World Cup, there are never going to be easy games but we would like to show what we can do too. I think a lot of people probably outside Ireland don’t expect much from us. But at the same time, that's okay.
"There is pressure on us. It’s our first major tournament. It’s going to be tough, it’s going ot be difficult. We’re going to ride a few waves, weather a few storms, I’m sure.
"But we look at the players in this team and we know the quality that we have. We know what players can make stuff happen and hopefully we can play to our strengths."
Littlejohn will be hoping to put herself in the shop window over the next couple of weeks. She's been a free agent since her contract at Aston Villa expired at the end of May, bringing in to end what was - by her own admission - a miserable campaign.
"It's been an absolute write-off of a season, I don’t think it could be any worse really," Littlejohn added.
"I suffered from that Achilles tendinopathy injury too which is ongoing. You’re always trying to keep on top of that. Even going into this tournament, that’s something you’re going to have to try and keep on top of.
"We’ve got a good group of girls in this team and this squad. But I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be playing anyway if Megan Campbell and Aoife [Mannion] had been fit. I probably wouldn’t be playing.
"But that’s football, it is how it can work out at times. I’m 33 now. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs and I know how to manage these situations better. A lot of football now is your mentality and working on your mental strength.
"I don't know what I'm doing yet, so I’m very open minded, I’ll just see what happens in this World Cup window and take it from there. In an ideal world, things go well and you have a few more opportunities. We’ll see."
Glasgow-born Littlejohn would love to follow in the footsteps of another Glaswegian, Ray Houghton, by popping up with a goal for the ages at a major tournament.
She admits she's due one, while focusing on the bigger picture.
"I was just saying up there I don't think I have scored for Ireland in six years! That’s a long time, I don’t even know what has to happen. A ball might need to smack off me in the box and go in. I’d be delighted either way, it would be handy.
"Look, we’re here at a World Cup and we’re going to play whoever is in front of you, to me it’s actually amazing, it’s exciting. Did you ever think we were going to be opening up the World Cup?
"We are playing at the World Cup, we’re playing the first game, that’s amazing."
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