Preview: Ireland chase a famous win as Perth turns green

Back in February, Republic of Ireland players wore purple wristbands during their friendly against China in Spain as a show of solidarity with Canada, who were in dispute with their own football association over funding cuts and pay inequality.

Ireland weren't the only country to make the gesture, but the Girls in Green understood the battle better than most.

They made a stand against the FAI in 2017 due to the woefully inadequate standards they were enduring in a watershed moment that changed women's football in the country, and ultimately led us to this World Cup.

In that context, Ireland's legacy is safe no matter what happens Down Under; their feats have already had a major social impact and will continue to do so for years.

But no one is thinking like that in Western Australia right now.

After months of build-up, Vera Pauw's team are on a tightrope, with another slip consigning them to the dreaded World Cup booby prize of a final-game dead rubber.

Defeat to reigning Olympic champions Canada would mean their chances of making it to the knockout stages are over; a point keeps hope alive heading into the final Group B game against Nigeria on Monday; while a win blows the doors off its hinges. It would crack the group open completely, even offering up the tantalising opportunity of topping the group.

Downing the Canadians is not an impossible task, but it won't be easy.

Bev Priestman's immensely experienced team need a result themselves after being held by the Nigerians last Friday.

The return of Chelsea playmaker Jessie Fleming will help their cause - she missed the opening game with a calf injury - and though centre-half Kadeisha Buchanan sat out training due to illness, she's expected to start.

Meanwhile legendary striker