Pauw's tigers can't afford to get gridlocked in the squeeze of Sydney 

With so much history and hype packed into Stadium Australia on opening night, Katie McCabe and co. must avoid the Aussies making it one-way traffic

NO TIME TO TRIP UP: Vera Pauw and her Republic of Ireland WNT walk through Sydney's Stadium Australia on the eve of their World Cup opener. Pic:  INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Two titans of the world game held court at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium on the eve of a World Cup blockbuster but only one can emerge as the Wizard of Oz.

Up first was Katie McCabe, the Ireland skipper more upbeat than her last official engagement when her ire at the final friendly against France getting hijacked by controversy over manager Vera Pauw was apparent.