Republic of Ireland head coach, Vera Pauw, has expressed her concerns about the fitness of Louis Quinn as she races against time to be fit for Ireland's game against Canada in Perth tomorrow. Quinn, 33, sustained a foot injury during the 1-0 loss against Australia and has been seen wearing a protective boot.
During Monday's training session, the Dubliner trained separately from the rest of the squad and showed positive signs of progress in her comeback. However, Pauw has tempered expectations, stating that Quinn may not be fully ready to face the Olympic champions.
"We are also a bit concerned," said the Ireland manager to the press on Tuesday. "We think that she can play, but we are always honest. She is going to train [today] and see how far she gets. It's a foot injury."
"It's an injury that is not very straightforward. It's just really relying on how she reacts in the next training session. I'm not hiding anything, I'm always open."
Vera Pauw tells @Corktod there are concerns about Louise Quinn's fitness and will see how she comes through training. #wwc2023 #coygig pic.twitter.com/6e9C6Jhwfv
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 25, 2023
A loss for Ireland in tomorrow's match could potentially end their campaign unless other results go their way. Currently rooted to the bottom of the group and the only team without a point among the four sides, Pauw understands that only a victory against Canada will truly matter if Ireland hopes to progress from the group.
“You know you can only look into the future. It depends, of course, on the results of others, but winning starts with not losing," said the Ireland boss.
“That is very cliché but very much true. So if you play a game like this against the Olympic champion, I have to stay realistic, and it’s clear that we want to go through this group, then we need a result. That’s clear. If we win, we have it in our own hands… if we have a draw, then we’re dependent on other results.”
“Canada is a very, very experienced team, and they know how to have patience in getting their results,” Pauw added. “And they often get the results in the later stages.
“That shows that they have to trust to keep on going with a game plan. They have a few exceptional players. [Jessie] Fleming will play tomorrow. [Christine] Sinclair, of course, is a huge threat. And in their teamwork, they’re very experienced. So we are fully aware of this. We hope that we can put something against it.”
Ireland's game against Canada kicks off at 1pm Irish time and can be watched live on RTE2.
MATCH OFFICIALSReferee: Laura Fortunato (Argentina)Assistant Referee: Marianna De Almeida (Argentina)Assistant Referee: Daiana Milone (Argentina)Fourth Official: Akona Zenith Makhalima (South Africa)VAR Referee: Alejandro Hernandez (Spain)VAR Assistant: Juan Martinez (Spain)Offside VAR Referee: Neuza Back (Brazil)
IRELAND WNT SQUADGoalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion) Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O’Riordan (Standard Liege), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United) Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Sinead Farrelly (NY/NJ Gotham) Forwards: Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)
