'We want to do the nation proud' Girls in green blown away by support ahead of World Cup kick-off

Republic of Ireland players Izzy Atkinson, Courtney Brosnan, Kyra Carusa, Sinead Farrelly, Abbie Larkin, Marissa Sheva, Claire O'Riordan, and Heather Payne during the squad's stadium familiarisation at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

It's Australia’s biggest sporting event since the 2000 Olympics and it's Ireland’s first World Cup since 2002 — and both countries are holding their breath.

Demand for tickets to this opening fixture of the Women’s World Cup in Sydney has outstripped the demand for tickets to the final on August 20. Across the city, there's a steady trickle of green-clad fans interspersing the wall of gold.