Ireland embracing underdog role in Women's World Cup debut

SYDNEY: Underdog Republic of Ireland plan to approach their historic Women's World Cup debut as they have every victory in their improbable run to the global women's showcase - by "outbelieving" their opponents.

Vera Pauw's team, ranked 22nd, know they are in tough against 10th-ranked Australia in Thursday's (Jul 20) tournament opener in front of what is expected to be a record crowd of 82,500 - and a sea of green and gold - at Stadium Australia.

Sky Ireland's campaign for Ireland is "Outbelieve", and Pauw said it is a motto The Girls in Green have taken to heart.

"That word will end up in the dictionary because we outbelieve we can do something special here," said the Dutch coach. "That is how we ended up here because we outbelieved. We did something that nobody expected."

Ireland clinched their World Cup berth with a nerve-jangling victory over Scotland in a playoff at Hampden Park. Amber Barrett scored the lone goal, and then kneeled, tugging at her black armband, in tribute to the 10 people who died in a gas explosion days earlier in her home county of Donegal.

Ireland and Colombia abandoned a friendly on Thursday in Brisbane after just 23 minutes, after it was deemed overly physical. Midfielder Denise O'Sullivan was taken to hospital for a leg injury, but Pauw said she is healthy and will play Thursday.

Captain Katie McCabe said Ireland do not fear the physicality of any team.

"We're Irish, we don't shy away from physicality. It's ingrained in us in the hardworking team we are," she said.

On the eve of their debut, the 27-year-old Arsenal player declined to share what motivational message she would give her team mates before they walk onto the pitch, but keeping their love of the game front of mind will be part of it.

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