Vera Pauw World Cup draw reaction: ‘We don’t fear anyone. We will prepare well and be ready’

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw before the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Final Draw at the Aotea Centre in Auckland

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw before the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Final Draw at the Aotea Centre in Auckland Credit: Stephen McCarthy/FIFA/Sportsfile

Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw acknowledged that her team got a challenging group in Saturday’s World Cup draw but her team doesn’t fear taking on Australia, Canada and Nigeria in next year’s tournament down under.

“We are debutants so it is a challenge but we know there is such a great support for Ireland in Australia also,” said Pauw speaking from Auckland about the opening group game which will see her team face the tournament co-hosts Australia in Sydney.

They did of course beat Australia 3-2 in Tallaght Stadium last year when they faced the Matildas in a friendly.

“It will be in a full stadium. It is the best opening game you can get as a debutant but it will be tough.

"We have the Olympic champions (Canada) in our group. We don’t fear anyone. We will prepare well and be ready.”

The Canadian side were the highest ranking team that Ireland could draw from Pot 2 and they also came out against the second highest team from pot 4 in Nigeria – so it marks Group B out as a difficult one for the Girls in Green. 

However while the Ireland boss wasn’t making predictions about getting out of the group she said that making their debut in the tournament “will be magic. It will be such an experience. 

“With a group like this as debutants, it wouldn’t be wise to say we are going to qualify.

"We have shown we can handle challenges.”



About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile