Ireland all out of hiding places as Canucks and crunch time arrives

As Vera Pauw insists she's an open book, her team's World Cup story has rapidly reached a point of no return. Against Canada they need to find a final-third breakthrough 

TUNNEL VISION: Manager Vera Pauw and Denise O'Sullivan during a Republic of Ireland stadium familiarisation at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia, ahead of their second Group B match of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, against Canada. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Against the Olympic champions, Ireland require the quantum leap like nothing before to regain their World Cup course.

Beating the nation ranked seventh in the world would capture status like never before. Avoiding defeat keeps them in the mix but defeat signals the end of Ireland’s adventure in Oz after just 180 minutes.