Canada bounces back to oust debutant Ireland from Women’s World Cup

A spirited Canada bounced back after being down 0-1 to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 in the Women’s World Cup football championship being played at Perth in Australia.

Ireland, which made its debut in the championship, was ousted from the tournament with the defeat and would now play Nigeria, though for pride only.

It was the Ireland which took the lead in the match when its captain Katie McCabe scored her first World Cup goal through a fantastic corner when the match was barely into the fourth minute stunning the Canadians.

For a change there was bright Sunlight at Perth after days of incessant rains and a win was needed by both the teams to remain in the hunt for coveted Trophy.

The Canadian eves fought back and in the first half injury time a cross by Julia Grosso found its way into the net after touching an Irish defender Megan Connolly to bring the match to parity.

Adriana Leon of Canada scored a beautiful field goal in eight minute of the second half to enable her team to lead 2-1.

Irish team had a few chances but it failed to capitalize on them and finally they had to make an exit from the championship. A few of their players did exhibit brilliance but the final finishing was lacking in the team.

For the Canadians too the victory was hard-earned. The team, however, will have to improve their defence if it were to nurture any dream of making it to the top. They could very well have lost the match to the Republic of Ireland had the pattern shown better coordination, particularly among the strikers.