My First World Cup: What to expect from the Republic of Ireland and Portugal
With the Women’s World Cup expanding to 32 teams for the first time ever in 2023, it is little surprise that there will be as many as eight teams competing in the world’s premier international competition for the very first time in Australia and New Zealand. Here, the Sports Gazette assesses what can be expected from the Republic of Ireland and Portugal as they get set to compete at their first World Cup.
The Republic of Ireland
World Ranking: 22nd
Having just missed out on qualification for last summer’s European Championship, the Republic of Ireland will be making their first appearance at a major tournament in the women’s game. Having steadily improved on and off the field under the stewardship of former manager Colin Bell, his replacement Vera Pauw has built on those foundations to form a resilient side that has earned a reputation for being miserly defensively.
Ireland conceded just four goals throughout their qualifying group, and a gutsy 1-0 play-off win in Glasgow against Scotland secured their ticket to Australia and New Zealand. A pair of narrow friendly defeats to World Cup holders the USA in April have raised hopes that Pauw’s side are capable of competing against some of the best opponents the international game has to offer.
With a squad made up of a host of regulars in the competitive Women’s Super League, Ireland now have a team capable of holding their own on the world stage. A tough group awaits them in their first World Cup, but they have the tactical plan and the personnel to cause problems.
Manager: Vera Pauw
Despite being in charge of the Netherlands between 2004 and 2010, this will be the first time Pauw has appeared at a World Cup as a manager. However, she has a wealth of experience as both a player and a manager, making 85 appearances for the Dutch national team and also managing Scotland, Russia and South Africa at international level.
There has been criticism of the team’s supposed defensive style under Pauw’s stewardship, yet she is unlikely to move away from the 5-4-1 tactical formation that secured qualification. Speaking after the play-off win against Scotland she suggested the victory was not because her team had better players than their opponents but they won “because they had a better game plan”.
Key Player: Katie McCabe
McCabe was just 21 when she was made Ireland’s youngest ever captain in 2017, and she has proven to be an inspirational figure for club and country ever since. Capable of playing in numerous positions across the pitch, she has made over 70 international appearances at the age of just 27 and makes the journey to Australia and New Zealand off the back of a stellar season for Arsenal.
She was the only non-finalist to be named in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Team of the Season and helped the London club to a Continental Cup win in the 2022/23 season. Her willingness to make big tackles and never stop running make her the perfect leader for this determined Irish side, but McCabe’s ability to score and create goals may be crucial if Ireland are to add some attacking threat to their defensive resolve.
Group and Fixtures: Group B
20th July 8pm – Australia (Stadium Australia, Sydney)
27th July 8pm – Canada (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)
31st July 8pm – Nigeria (Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane)
The newcomers could hardly have asked for a tougher group than one containing the fancied co-hosts, the Olympic champions and the 11-time champions of Africa. Whilst it will be a challenge to go beyond the group stage in this maiden appearance, featuring on the opening night against Australia at an 83,500-capacity stadium is the stuff of World Cup dreams in itself.
Portugal
World Ranking: 21st
Portugal took the long route to this year’s tournament, playing 10 qualifiers and three play-off matches that culminated in a dramatic inter-confederation win against Cameroon in February. It has also taken time for the Portuguese to make their mark on the international stage, qualifying for the Euros for the first time in 2017, but backing up qualification for last year’s tournament in England by reaching the World Cup for the first time ever.
Although they did not make it past the group stage at either European Championship they qualified for, Francisco Neto’s side have become increasingly competitive at international level. A run of just one defeat in their last ten games leading up to the tournament has helped them to their highest ever place in the FIFA World Rankings, and a dominant 5-0 win against World Cup co-hosts New Zealand showcased their attacking talent.
A squad made up largely of players based in Portugal are familiar with one another, but coming up against both of the finalists from the previous World Cup in the group stage is a daunting task. Building on the solitary major tournament victory they have to their name would be a further sign of progress.
Manager: Francisco Neto
Neto has been in charge since 2014 and has acted as a driving force behind Portugal’s improving fortunes over recent years. The team were sat 49th in the World Rankings when he took charge, and he has credited a ‘strong base’ of players for underpinning success on the field since.
Formerly the team’s goalkeeping coach, it will take something remarkable for Neto to add to the gold medal he won at the Lusaphone Games with the Goa men’s under-21 side in 2014 in Australia and New Zealand, yet his team should at least provide some entertainment given they have scored in every game they have played since the last Euro’s.
Key Player: Jessica Silva
With the majority of Portugal’s squad playing their club football in the domestic Liga BPI, Silva’s top-level experience could prove important at this tournament. Although she is now playing her club football back in her homeland with Benfica, spells at Lyon and Kansas City Current are a mark of her pedigree.
She won her 100th cap in April having made her debut as a 16-year-old and is a leading figure for Portuguese football at home and abroad. How Silva combines with fellow attackers Francisca Nazareth and Diana Silva could determine just how much of a problem Portugal can cause to opponents at this tournament.
Group and Fixtures: Group E
23rd July 7.30pm – Netherlands (Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin)
27th July 7.30pm – Vietnam (Waikato Stadium, Hamilton)
1st August 7pm – USA (Eden Park, Auckland)
Whilst coming up against two of the most successful nations in modern football history is a daunting task, now may be the perfect time for the Portuguese to spring a surprise. The USWNT appear out of sorts heading into this tournament and the Netherlands have struggled to impress since the last World Cup. Beating fellow newcomers Vietnam in their second game could set up an intriguing qualification showdown with the US.
