Much like the Republic of Ireland, Canada travelled to Perth for Wednesday's crucial Women’s World Cup match knowing there is little margin for error.
After failing to beat Nigeria in their Group B opener, and with Australia to come in Melbourne on Monday, Canada will feel three points is a must when they tackle Vera Pauw’s side.
However, doubts persist over whether they are still capable of competing with the leading sides, with off-field issues not helping their cause.
What should Ireland expect?
Canada are ranked seventh in the world but the reigning Olympic champions are a side dogged by inconsistency. Their record over the past 12 months reads: Played 12, won six, lost five with one draw.
Goals have also been in short supply – just three scored in five matches this year.
Canada finished bottom of the standings at the SheBelieves Cup in February after losing two of their three games, the second of those a 3-0 reverse to Japan.
Their players had threatened not to travel to the World Cup due to an ongoing row over pay and conditions, and those disrupted preparations looked to have taken their toll in the stalemate against Nigeria, which extended their winless run to three games.
Canada's start to the tournament did little to allay perceptions that they are a team on the wane, but the expected return of key midfielder Jesse Fleming against Ireland will provide a timely shot in the arm. The Chelsea star, who was Canada's Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022, missed the Nigeria game with a calf injury but trained on Monday and looks set to line out against Vera Pauw’s side.
Pauw's counterpart Bev Priestman likes to alternate between a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formation, with former Paris Saint-Germain forward Jordyn Huitema leading the line ahead of veteran skipper Christine Sinclair.
Like Ireland, they are a tough nut to crack in defence but their poor return at the other end of the pitch has become an issue.
Key players
Christine Sinclair
The Canada captain turned 40 last month and looked set to become the first player to score at six World Cups, only to miss that crucial penalty against Nigeria.
Sinclair is the all-time record goalscorer in international football with 190 goals.
Jessie Fleming
Fleming scored from the penalty spot, both in normal time and the resultant shootout, when Canada won Olympic gold in Japan, and would have been on spot-kick duties instead of Sinclair had she been fit to face Nigeria.
Megan Campbell compared Fleming to Ireland team-mate Denise O’Sullivan. "Both are technically great players. They’re small, agile and able to get around the pitch, but really good on the ball.
"She can be that link player for Canada through the middle, and even out wide at times. She’ll definitely be a threat on the counter."
Kadeisha Buchanan
Centre-back Buchanan has enjoyed a trophy-laden club career with Lyon and Chelsea, winning five Champions Leagues and five league titles with the former before securing a Women’s Super League and FA Cup double with the latter in her debut season.
While Canada have struggled in attack, Buchanan marshals an organised defence that has kept five clean sheets in their last 11 matches.
Vanessa Gilles
Former tennis player Gilles represented France at underage level before switching allegiances to the country of her birth.
The well-travelled centre-back won a French double with Lyon last season, forming part of a miserly defence that conceded just nine goals in 22 matches. Her performances saw Lyon extend her loan deal from Angel City FC to the end of next season.
Gilles has won 26 caps for Canada and scored the winning penalty in their shootout win over Sweden in the gold medal match at the Tokyo Olympics.
Jordyn Huitema
Huitema was tipped for big things from a young age. She worked under current manager Priestman in the Canada youth system when she was 13 years old, and made her senior debut just two years later.
The forward, who joined OL Reign in the NWSL last season after three years with Paris Saint-Germain, has scored 16 goals in 65 appearances for Canada.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Canada in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Wednesday at 1pm, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on 2fm
