How Canada can beat Ireland – Women’s World Cup 2023 – Tactical Analysis

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NOTE: Match clips and images will be added to this article once Wyscout’s match footage is fully uploaded.

After a disappointing first match against Nigeria, Canada will be hoping to improve upon their performance against an intense Irish side, fully ready to do battle. Here is what Canada must keep in mind as they prepare for their second match of the 2023 Women’s World Cup against Ireland.

IRELAND’S STYLE OF PLAY

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Much like the Nigerians did to Canada, Ireland set up to defend against Australia. They sat back in a 5-4-1 mid to low-block, allowing the Aussies to have the ball at the back end of the pitch.

Australia utilized a 2-4-4 build-up with Mary Fowler floating in between the lines, but most of their possession stayed between their box quartet of two central midfielders and two centre-backs. Canada adopted a parallel approach against Nigeria, and had the exact same problem cutting through the lines.

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Any time the Aussies progressed into the nine Irish players shuffling with the play, a crunching challenge soon ensued as Pauw’s team threw themselves into tackles. They were up for any fight against Australia, and the match became extremely physical. Perhaps more than anything else, this is what Canada will need to be prepared for. It is likely going to be a physical contest more than a tactical battle of wits, and Canada’s own ability to use their physicality will be essential to breaking down Vera Pauw’s team.

COMBATTING THE PHYSICALITY

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Within that stern 5-4-1, Ireland have two world class players – Denise O’Sullivan at the base of their midfield, and Katie McCabe at left-wing-back. If McCabe plays in that wing-back role once more, you can expect the Canadians to be completely shut out down that side. She’s simply unwavering in her approach, and the type of player that actively thrives in putting herself in the way of others from a physical perspective.

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In combatting this, I would suggest the Canadians play Ashley Lawrence down the right-hand-side as a full-back, alongside either the energetic Cloé Lacasse, who showed much promise after entering the second half against Nigeria.

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The ideal scenario would have been for Canada to have Nichelle Prince and Janine Beckie to choose from, both of whom could have caused McCabe headaches in completely different ways. But without them, Lawrence will be the best match for McCabe’s 1v1 dominance.

This then allows the opportunity for Lacasse or Prince to buzz up and down the right-half-spaces, knowing that Quinn will sit in behind and clean up all the messes.

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Over on the left, Allysha Chapman can become a crossing threat but also remain more reserved. This would maintain a nice balance, especially from an inverted position, where someone like Julia Grosso could have more license to get up the pitch.

That’s because in combatting the defensive presence of Denise O’Sullivan and Ruesha Littlejohn at the centre of the pitch, Canada will need fluidity of movement in central areas. The likes of Sinclair/Fleming, Huitema and Grosso should be prepared to swap in and out of roles to create holes in Ireland’s otherwise impenetrable shape. Caitlin Foord became relatively quiet in the match against Australia, constantly surrounded by three physical centre-backs and screened by the two stalwarts ahead.

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Jordyn Huitema is not the type of player to let herself become quiet, and her ability to drop in deep to link the play with her back to goal could be key.

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Runners in behind from the wings would then be the key in creating more for ‘The Girls in Green’ to think about.

This is where Australia had moments of success in their use of Hayley Raso to get in between outside centre-back and Katie McCabe. On that note, Raso’s ability to be a constant gnat in the way of McCabe made for the type of physical battle to challenge the Arsenal star.

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She served as a consistent spark for the Australians, and won her team a penalty with that kind of bursting run in behind the defense.

If Prince is fully ready for the match, she would be the most Hayley Raso adjacent player to enter the fold and cause the same kind of chaos. On the note of fitness, Jessie Fleming’s box to box mobility and perceptions of space will be critical in combatting the Irish as they look to make the game transitional.

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That might be where Canada benefit all the more from having a defensive presence like Allysha Chapman to help with the team’s rest defense. Kadeisha Buchanan has historically been an excellent sweeper, but we’ve also seen some shaky moments from her for both club and country when being that last resort. The onus can’t be entirely on Quinn to smartly adjust positioning and cut out counter attacks against the Irish. Knowing that they possess much in the way of electricity and intent on the break (not to mention that brute force), Allysha Chapman makes for a great player to enter the fold and add to their numbers at the back.

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Canada’s quest to earn three points against Ireland could be a difficult task, knowing the physicality the Irish possess. But if Canada are going to have more success in match number two, they will need to rise to that physicality, and use their rotations in central channels to unlock the Irish defense. If not, we could be in for another 0-0.

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