After tying Nigeria, Canada prepares to face well-drilled Ireland at Women's World Cup

After a frustrating scoreless draw with Nigeria, Canada now turns its attention to a well-drilled Irish side at the Women's World Cup.

Ranked 22nd in the world, tournament debutante Ireland is coming off a 1-0 loss to Australia. But the 10th-ranked Matildas had to work hard, needing a 52nd-minute penalty to get past Ireland in their Group B opener in Sydney.

Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum's team faces the Australians next. And his take on the tournament co-host's struggles with Ireland and its well-organized defence unwittingly shone some light on seventh-ranked Canada.

"I can't speak for them, but I'm sure they was some frustration that they couldn't break through and score in the run of play," said Waldrum. "But good teams find ways to win and they found the penalty and got the result they needed."

Defender Steph Catley, wearing the captain's armband in place of the injured Sam Kerr, confidently hammered her spot kick shot high into the corner of the Irish goal in the 52nd minute before an announced crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia. It was just her fourth career goal in 110 international appearances.

WATCH | Was letting Christine Sinclair take the penalty vs Nigeria a mistake?

Canada could not match that breakthrough against 40th-ranked Nigeria, despite dominating play for chunks of the game. And Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced a world-class save to deny Canada captain Christine Sinclair's spot kick in the 50th minute.

The way both coaches reacted to the single-point haul at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium spoke volumes.

"We've got to move on very quickly. You can get lost and be really down on that," Canada coach Bev Priestman said of the result. "Of course the team and I are devastated we didn't get