World Cup Report: Canada 2 - 1 Republic of Ireland

Ireland’s first ever World Cup campaign came to a premature end on Monday after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Canada in Perth.

An early lead from Katie McCabe was cancelled out by an unfortunate own goal and a second-half Adriana Leon strike which lifted Canada to the top of Group B.

Ireland had been given a boost before kick-off when Louise Quinn was deemed fit after suffering a knock in the opening game against Australia and, despite being spotted in a protective boot this week, was drafted straight into the starting XI.

Vera Pauw was forced into making a last-minute change however, when Heather Payne picked up a hamstring injury in the warm-up, with Aine O’Gorman being called in as a replacement.

The game couldn’t have started any better for Ireland when they grabbed their first ever goal at a major tournament with just four minutes on the clock.

Of course, it had to be skipper McCabe. A historic moment for a player who has had an incredible impact on the team both on and off the pitch.  

The ball could have been in the net minutes earlier, when a low Lucy Quinn cross met Kyra Carusa in the box, but Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan got her hands to it and fumbled it out of play.

That movement led to a corner kick, and it was McCabe who curled it directly into the back of the net.

Canada were clearly startled and tried to hold the ball as much as possible, but were unable to cause much concern in front of goal and produced some frantic long-range shots that made them look uneasy.

McCabe soon had a powerful shot towards goal as Ireland pressed, but the Olympic champions had the best chance on the half-hour mark when they began to look a little more relaxed.

Kadeisha Buchanan, who was tirelessly attempting to close down Carusa’s daring runs throughout the half, forced a header goalwards to meet Vanessa Gilles in the middle.

The latter poked it heavily on the stretch and fired it over the crossbar, but it looked certain to go in if a more composed touch was taken.

Carusa tried to muscle her way into doubling the lead just before half-time following a superb clearance from McCabe near the back, but Sheridan gathered the final ball which allowed Canada to take control.

The Girls in Green looked sure to have secured a half-time lead as torrential rain poured down in Perth, but it was the Canadians who went into the dressing room with confidence after nicking a goal in the fourth minute of added time.

Julia Grosso had picked the ball up from the far left before whipping in a low cross to the box, but a slight nick off Megan Connolly saw the ball skim past Courtney Brosnan and into the net for the equaliser.

A trio of half-time substitutions by Bev Priestman ignited a complete transformation in the Canadian team who were instantly more energetic and dangerous.

It took just eight minutes for them to grab the lead when Ireland were dispossessed, leaving the defence to split open and allow substitute Sophie Schmidt to slip in a brilliant pass to Leon, who floated the ball easily past Brosnan to make it 2-1.

Ireland then made a number of substitutions of their own, but still struggled to tighten the defence. The urge to nick an equaliser left some huge spaces at the back for Canada to exploit, and Chloe Lacasse came close to firing in a third when her commanding shot from an Ashley Lawrence delivery flashed inches wide.

McCabe continued to pile on the pressure and danced around the Canadian defence before taking a shot, but the effort was deflected wide.

Ireland’s desperation was showing in the final ten minutes with two long-range and high efforts from both McCabe and substitute Lily Agg, but it wasn’t enough to cause concern for Canada.

An unlucky situation for Pauw and her courageous squad, but they can certainly be proud and will go into next Monday’s fixture against Nigeria with their heads held high.

Canada and Australia will also battle it out on Monday in order to claim top spot of Group B.

Canada Women: Kailen Sheridan; Kadeisha Buchanan (Shelina Zadorsky 46), Vanessa Gilles, Quinn, Jayde Riviere (Allysha Chapmain 90); Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso (Sophie Schmidt 46), Ashley Lawrence; Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon (Chloe Lacasse 59), Evelyne Viens (Christine Sinclair 46).

Subs not used: Lysianne Proulx, Sabrina Dangelo, Gabrielle Carle, Simi Awujo, Deanne Rose, Jenna Hellstrom, Olivia Smith, Nichelle Prince.

Booked: Kadeisha Buchanan (36), Vanessa Gilles (61).

Republic of Ireland Women: Courtney Brosnan; Megan Connolly, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn; Ruesha Littlejohn (Lily Agg 65), Katie McCabe, Aine O'Gorman (Marissa Sheva 59), Denise O'Sullivan; Kyra Carusa (Amber Barrett 65), Sinead Farrelly (Izzy Atkinson 65), Lucy Quinn (Abbie Larkin 46).

Subs not used: Grace Moloney, Megan Walsh, Chloe Mustaki, Diane Caldwell, Claire O'Riordan, Ciara Grant.

Booked: None.

Referee: Laura Fortunato (Argentina).

Attendance: 17,065.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Katie McCabe (Ireland).