Kuper aims to give mighty Dutch a test

THE Irish women’s squad face another mammoth World Cup task against powerful Netherlands in Perth today.

While Australia, winners of the last two World Cup tournaments, are rightly regarded as favourites, the Dutch are also serious candidates for the title. They hold the most number of World Cup titles (five) since the inaugural event in 1974.

Irish coach Riet Kuper, disappointed at not managing a draw against the Australians, is at last seeing her work over the past three seasons bearing fruit.