Republic of Ireland’s captain, Katie McCabe, said the Irish supporters have made the team feel like they have a “home away from home” as their World Cup debut on Thursday beckons. Fans turned out to greet Vera Pauw’s side as they touched down in Sydney before their opening match against the co-hosts Australia.
“It is crazy to think we’re actually here now,” McCabe said. “We only landed a short while ago, greeted by a number of Irish fans … to see the numbers that have travelled and the pictures of how much support we have here, it’s really special. I think the whole team feel that, not just the players but the staff as well. We want to do the nation proud.”
Anticipation is building both at home and in Sydney as Ireland prepare to make history. McCabe will lead her side out in front of over 80,000 spectators at Stadium Australia, clear underdogs against the Matildas. It is, however, a title they embrace, while remaining determined that they should not be underestimated.
“As a small nation, you carry that title I guess,” McCabe said. “We know we are debutants, but we know what we want to do. We don’t want to just be happy to be here. We want to compete, and we want to give Australia, Canada and Nigeria the hardest games possible. It’s going to be exciting. We know what Australia have. They have got quality all over the park. But we also know what we can do.”
Pauw is equally aware of the threat of the opposition but has belief in her side’s preparations, boosted by the confirmation that the midfielder Denise O’Sullivan is fully fit. “We are preparing for a team that has gone to every single [World Cup] with only one exception,” she said. “They have huge experience; they have class players; they have immense pace. We know what we are going to face and within that, of course, we are going to try to play our game, but we do know the pressure that we will be under ... the way we’ve come here is something to be proud of. We are very realistic in our chances, but we play every game to win.”
