The Republic of Ireland's hopes of making the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup are over after their defeat to Canada at a rain-soaked Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday.
Vera Pauw’s team produced a brilliant first-half performance, taking the lead after just four minutes when Katie McCabe’s corner curled over keeper Kailen Sheridan.
However, they paid the heaviest possible price for failing to kill off an under-par Canadian side as Megan Connolly’s own goal in first-half stoppage time was compounded by a well-taken Adriana Leon effort seven minutes into the second half.
The Girls in Green needed to avoid defeat to keep alive their ambitions of sneaking into the last 16. But a night that had started with such unbridled promise, ended in tears and regret.
Ireland will be coming home after their final group game against Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday.
The venue did a decent impression of the old Lansdowne Road as the rain bucketed down on its four wide open stands.
Pauw initially only made one change – Lucy Quinn came in for Marissa Sheva, while Louise Quinn overcame an injury scare to start. However, Heather Payne felt a tweak in her hamstring during the warm-up and was replaced by Aine O'Gorman.
Christine Sinclair, Canada’s 40-year-old record goalscorer, was benched as Bev Priestman opted for a more fluid 4-3-3.
With huge support in the ground, Ireland made a vibrant start. O’Gorman released Lucy Quinn down the right flank just three minutes in, her low cross inviting Carusa to slide in dangerously. Sheridan scooped it around her post, but Canada were not in the clear.
McCabe swung in a peach of a corner that bent over Sheridan and nestled in the left top corner.
It was a dream start that further energised the Girls in Green. McCabe was in inspired form, driving into the box on a stirring run that ended when Kadeisha Buchanan poked the ball out of her stride. The Ireland fans screamed for a penalty; Argentinian referee Laura Fortunato disagreed.
Soon after, Sinead Farrelly drilled in a clean effort off Carusa’s chest-down that Sheridan tipped wide. It was purposeful, organised and supremely confident stuff.
The green army loudly approved; Canada were shook.
The hard-working Carusa forced Vanessa Gilles into the concession of a 19th-minute corner. This time Ireland worked it short, but it was McCabe again who took on the shot, slicing a 25-yarder well wide.
Canada's first meaningful attempt came after 23 minutes when O’Gorman slipped and Jordyn Huitema had time to lash in a decent effort from range. Courtney Brosnan got her angles right to deal with it well.
Ashley Lawrence took a bang to the head after an unfortunate collision with Farrelly, but she soon recovered to create her team’s first good chance, glancing on a 30th-minute punt into the box for Gilles, who volleyed over with the goal at her mercy. A warning, but Ireland were looking good.
Ruesha Littlehjohn chased down playmaker Jessie Fleming relentlessly, Carusa made the ball stick and drew the foul, while Farrelly was unshakeably assured.
Ireland did drop deeper as Canada probed, but O’Sullivan’s shot after a spell of slick passing was a reminder of their threat on the counter. McCabe then found Carusa with a terrific ball from left-back, the striker outmuscling Kadeisha Buchanan before testing Sheridan from a tight angle.
Canada were terrified of McCabe’s deliveries. When Julia Grosso conceded a corner in the 45th minute, she looked like she’d just accidentally disrupted a beehive. The delivery was deeper this time but it still caused panic, Farrelly having a fiercely struck attempt blocked down by Buchanan.
What a sucker punch it was then when Grosso’s curling low stoppage-time cross skidded off Connolly’s studs and crept into the bottom corner. It could have been worse, Gilles flashing a header past the post after Brosnan failed to claim a corner, and they headed in for half-time level.
Priestman was clearly not impressed with what she had seen, making a triple substitution. On came Sinclair, Shelina Zadorsky and Sophie Schmidt for Grosso, Buchanan and Evelyne Viens. Meanwhile, Pauw introduced Abbie Larkin for Lucy Quinn.
The momentum shifted. Canada's Jordyn Huitema drew a fantastic full-stretch save from Brosnan in the 50th minute after wheeling into space in the edge of the box as Canada went through the gears.
Three minutes later, disaster. Schmidt picked out Leon in the area with a cute pass and she poked it beyond Brosnan despite coming under pressure from McCabe.
Ireland now found themselves having to chase a game against high-class opposition, a scenario Pauw would have dreaded.
Sinclair drilled a low attempt into Brosnan’s arms after excellent build-up play as Ireland creaked, but Pauw’s team slowly began to rally.
Littlejohn fed McCabe on the left with a delicious backheel, the captain bending in an inviting ball that Carusa headed over. Then Pauw made her own triple change – Amber Barrett, Lily Agg and Izzy Atkinson entering the fray – to try and alter the game’s momentum.
More bodies in green were pushed forward, but Canada’s threat was now more potent. Huitema probably should have done better than head straight at Brosnan with 23 minutes to go. Likewise, Cloe Lacasse nodded wide with time and space to pick her spot.
With their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, Ireland began to look desperate.
With 11 minutes to go the immense McCabe weaved past three defenders and lashed in a daisycutter that Shelina Zadorsky deflected wide, but their attacking play was generally rushed and off-kilter.
Canada killed the clock.
Louise Quinn went up top to little effect. Lily Agg tried her luck from distance in the 89th minute, Sheridan making a routine stop, and Sheva teased in a good ball that the keeper confidently claimed. But that was as good as it got.
When the full-time whistle blew, Pauw gathered her players together for an emotional huddle. They will hope this adventure to a maiden major tournament is just the start; barriers broken, more to overcome.
For now though, they'll nurse the pain of a loss that could, and perhaps should, have been avoided.
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Aine O’Gorman (Marissa Sheva 59), Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe; Lucy Quinn (Abbie Larkin 45), Denise O'Sullivan, Sinead Farrelly (Izzy Atkinson 65), Ruesha Littlejohn (Lily Agg 65); Kyra Carusa (Amber Barrett 65)
Canada: Kailen Sheridan; Kadeisha Buchanan (Shelina Zadorsky 45), Jayde Riviere (Allysha Chapman 90), Ashley Lawrence, Vanessa Gilles; Quinn, Julia Grosso (Sophie Schmidt 45), Jessie Fleming; Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon (Cloe Lacasse 59), Eveleyne Veins (Christine Sinclair 45)
Referee: Laura Fortunato (Argentina)
Attendance: 17,065
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